Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 9; Nehemiah 10; Acts 2
Scripture: Nehemiah 10:31 "When the neighboring peoples bring merchandise or grain to sell on the Sabbath, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will forgo working the land and will cancel all debts."
Observation: These Israelites are coming before God in repentance. They have dedicated themselves to renewing the covenant with God and walking in the way of the Lord. And here they commit to some parts of the covenant that have a true financial cost associated with them: to not do commerce on the Sabbath or other holy days and to observe the year of jubilee. These observances have an apparent cost. They will lose money (it seems) if they follow these rules. But these people know that the judgment of God came upon their forebears and them because such rules were not followed so they stand in the place of true repentance and swear to follow God's ways completely, no matter the cost.
Application: Repentance involves a cost. There is a sacrifice involved if a person truly repents. Today, many people think they can come to God on their own terms. They are sorely mistaken. We can only come to God on his terms. And in our unregenerate state, we are so far from God that significant repentance and change is always required.
Prayer: Lord, help me to stay away from a "gospel" of comfort. Your true Gospel always involves a cost and a sacrifice. Help me to always walk in repentance as I move toward you.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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