Nehemiah 9:30-31 For many years you were patient with them, and warned them by your spirit through your prophets; yet they would not listen. Therefore you handed them over to the peoples of the lands. Nevertheless, in your great mercies you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.
Remember yesterday's confession led by Ezra? Here the prayer continues.
Sometimes people ask me to summarize the Bible - reading it can be intimidating if you don't know all the historical details (it's not really that intimidating and you don't need to know every detail, so read it). But if I were really pressed to summarize the message of the Bible, it's the story of God's relationship with humanity throughout history.
And these two verses do a good job of summarizing that relationship: God has been patient with people. God sent prophets to warn people about the dangerous lifestyle choices we make (like, ignoring God and acting like greedy, well, people). The consequences of human sin bit people. But the end of the story is always God giving life. God never leaves us in our sin. God never leaves us in pain. God is gracious and merciful. Every day. Throughout time. Today. God is gracious and merciful.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This weekend is the final weekend of our summer worship schedule: 5 pm on Saturday and 9 am on Sunday. For complete calendar and newsletter, visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org
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