Nehemiah 9:1-29 – OUR GREAT GOD
One way to introduce this message is by quoting Psalm 48:1, Psalm 147:5, Psalm 145:3 and from the hymn “How Great Thou Art.”
We serve a great God. In Nehemiah 9 the people of Israel are gathered in Jerusalem for a time of national and personal repentance before God. Here, as these people confess their sins and the sins of their nation, we see the greatness of God shown to us in many ways.
BACKGROUND – Vss. 1-5
Vs. 1 – There was fasting and the wearing of sackcloth and earth on the head. These indicate mourning.
Vs. 2 – There was separation. God’s people got together to do business with God. This was not an evangelistic campaign. This was revival. God’s people were getting right with God.
Vs. 3 – This was a time of examining God’s word and confessing sin.
Vss. 4-5 – At the end of this came a season of prayer led by the Spiritual leaders, the Levites. Notice that they began with praise and worship.
Next came a history of Israel that shows us how great our God is.
GOD IS GREAT IN CREATION – Vs. 6
GOD IS GREAT IN CONVENANTS – Vss. 7-8
The word “covenant” has to do with an agreement. God’s covenants are really God’s promises to do something for us. Some covenants are conditional and some are unconditional. Here the covenant with Abraham is cited.
GOD IS GREAT IN CONFLICTS – Vss. 9-15
GOD IS GREAT WITH COMPASSION – Vss. 16-20
Israel sinned against God. God showed compassion by not forsaking them, guiding them, instructing them, feeding them and giving them water.
GOD IS GREAT IN COMPLETION – Vss. 21-25
God kept His promises. He preserved Israel in the wilderness for forty years. He gave victory over their enemies, multiplied their children and enabled them to conquer the land. God completed the work which He had started.
GOD IS GREAT IN CORRECTION – Vss. 26-29
Even though God shows compassion, He still exercises discipline. God will correct.