Forgiveness, equals freedom
“They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.”
Nehemiah 9:17
Sometimes readers of the Old Testament focus on the wrath of God, but when they get to the New Testament, they see Jesus and focus on his forgiveness, kindness, and love. We see someone who is willing to die for our sins. However, both the Old and New Testaments show the same God as seen in Nehemiah.
God’s judgment does not mean He is an unloving God. The Israelites, His own people, saw God’s miracles and wonders and still wanted to go back to a life of slavery in Egypt. The verse in Nehemiah talks about how God forgave his people, even when they disobeyed him. God’s mercy is demonstrated through his restoration of them through the Promised Land. It means he still loves them and is working to perfect them.
That same God who showed love to the Israelites in the Old Testament is the same God we see in Jesus in the New Testament. God continually showed forgiveness and mercy to His people consistently throughout scripture and it was when Jesus died on the cross for our sins that he ultimately displayed that love for His people. God has always looked out for His people since the beginning. All we have to do is recognize that and believe.
Because of Jesus, we no longer have to endure the wrath of God, but we can bask in his glorious salvation. God used Nehemiah to show restoration to the Israelites. They were people who were lost, but now are found. Just like we are in Christ. The Israelites were restored to the Promised Land. Jesus saved us, so we can be restored and have a loving relationship with God. We can now belong to him as sons and daughters in Christ because of his grace and mercy.
This week, meditate on God’s word, both the Old and New Testament. Look at the similarities between the God who created the universe and the God who sent his one and only Son to save it.
-
LIVE
Major League Fishing
5 days agoLIVE Bass Pro Tour, Heavy Hitters, Day 4
497 watching -
The Kirk Minihane Show
3 hours agoThe Kirk Minihane Show Template
1.13K -
1:02:30
Steven Crowder
2 hours ago🔴 Joe Rogan Thinks Jesus is Fake LMAO | International Criminal Court G*yness Explained
36.2K196 -
LIVE
Benny Johnson
1 hour agoJudge THREATENS Witness After Cohen EXPOSED for Stealing From Trump, BLOCKS Expert EXONERATING Trump
7,957 watching -
1:05:37
Michael Franzese
10 hours agoMichael Franzese LIVE! | Exclusive Episode | Ep. 4
17.9K6 -
1:33:28
Kim Iversen
16 hours agoRFK Jr And Tulsi Gabbard Voice BLIND Support For Israel | Chase Geiser From InfoWars Joins The Show
32K245 -
LIVE
LFA TV
5 hours agoTERROR ATTACK ON WATER? | LIVE FROM AMERICA 5.21.24 11am EST
5,653 watching -
2:17:11
Matt Kohrs
10 hours agoCrypto Is PUMPING, Market Squeezes Higher & Breaking News || The MK Show
21.6K2 -
2:01:12
jeffahern
3 hours agoTrending Tuesday with Jeff Ahern (6AM Pacific)
8.24K -
45:48
Rethinking the Dollar
1 hour agoGen Z Despair: The Silent Struggle of Today's Youth | Tuesday Morning Check-In w/ Mike
489