Worship – Prioritizing Repentance
Repentance: The Heart of True Worship
When we think about worship, we often focus on singing, prayer, or Bible reading. But there’s another essential element that God seeks from His people: repentance. As we explore Nehemiah 9, we discover that the kind of worship God desires prioritizes acknowledging our sin, turning from it, and receiving His forgiveness.
What Does True Repentance Look Like in Worship?
In Nehemiah 9, we find the Israelites gathering for a solemn assembly. They came with fasting, wearing uncomfortable sackcloth, and with dirt on themselves—external signs of their internal mourning over sin. For three hours, they read God’s Word, and for another three hours, they confessed their sins and worshiped.
This pattern reveals something crucial about repentance: it begins with God’s Word. As one commentator notes, “The reading and hearing of the Word leads to confession and conviction of sin.” When we expose ourselves to Scripture, it acts as a diagnostic tool, revealing where we’ve fallen short of God’s standards.
Why Should We Adjust Our Lives to Scripture When Repenting?
True repentance isn’t just feeling sorry for what we’ve done wrong. It involves:
- Acknowledging where we’ve been wrong
- Recognizing where God is right
- Adjusting our lives to align with God’s truth
Think of Scripture as a code reader for your spiritual life. Just as a diagnostic tool shows what’s wrong with your vehicle, God’s Word reveals the “fault codes” in our thoughts, actions, and desires. When we read or hear Scripture, it interprets us—showing us where we’ve gotten off track and how to correct our course.
How Does Praise Fit into Repentance?
Surprisingly, a significant portion of Nehemiah 9 is devoted to praise. The Israelites praised God for:
- Being the only true God
- His power in creation
- His covenant faithfulness
- His righteousness
- His deliverance from Egypt
- His guidance
- His revelation through Moses
- His provision in the wilderness
Why include praise in repentance? For two important reasons:
- Repentance is God-focused: As David said in Psalm 51:4, “Against you, you only, have I sinned.” Praise reminds us that we’re measured against God’s perfect standard.
- Remembering prevents future sin: Verse 17 reveals that Israel “did not remember your wondrous deeds” and consequently became stubborn and sinned. As Mervyn Brennaman insightfully notes, “Forgetfulness of what God has done can cause disobedience.”
When we praise God during repentance, we reinforce His greatness in our hearts, which discourages us from continuing in sin.
What Should We Remember About God’s Character When Repenting?
Despite Israel’s persistent sin, God remained faithful. The text describes Him as:
- A God of forgiveness
- Gracious
- Compassionate
- Slow to anger
- Abounding in loving kindness
This reveals a crucial truth: when repenting, remember the inexhaustible grace and forgiveness of God. Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more in Christ Jesus.
There’s a Spanish story about a father who placed an ad in a Madrid newspaper: “Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you, your father.” Eight hundred men named Paco showed up, all seeking forgiveness and love from their fathers.
If you’re looking for forgiveness, you don’t have to look further than God. There is no sin that can separate believers from His love. There’s nothing you can do to make God love you less or more. He’s loving, loyal, gracious, and forgiving.
Why Must We Accept God’s Just Consequences?
In the final section of Nehemiah 9, the Israelites acknowledge that their suffering came as a result of their sin. They recognized that God was just in all that had happened to them.
When it comes to repentance, we must accept God’s just consequences for our actions. Whether it’s discipline from parents, penalties for dishonesty, or consequences for laziness, God’s discipline is always for our good “so that we may share in his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10).
Unlike a dog that needs to be tricked into taking medicine, Jesus willingly accepted the consequences of our sin. He wasn’t duped or misled—He knew exactly what awaited Him on the cross, yet “for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame” (Hebrews 12:2).
Life Application
God’s arms are open wide to you today. Whatever sin is disrupting your fellowship with Him, take time this week to:
- Examine your life in light of Scripture: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where you’ve fallen short of God’s standards.
- Acknowledge your sin specifically: Be transparent with God about what you’ve done wrong.
- Praise God for who He is: Remind yourself of His character and the good things He’s done in your life.
- Accept any consequences: If your sin has led to consequences, accept them with humility, knowing God disciplines those He loves.
- Turn from your sin: Make a concrete plan to adjust your life to align with God’s Word.
Ask yourself:
- What sins have I been ignoring or minimizing in my life?
- How has forgetfulness of God’s goodness contributed to my disobedience?
- Am I truly turning from my sin, or just feeling sorry about it?
- Have I fully accepted God’s forgiveness, or am I still carrying guilt He’s already removed?
Remember, true repentance isn’t just saying “I’m sorry” with no intention of changing. It’s receiving God’s forgiveness through Christ and walking in newness of life, obeying Him moving forward.