Nehemiah 9

“Stand up and bless the Lord your God …” (v5). The way Israel’s leaders “blessed” God was to recount His amazing mercy on Israel’s behalf. God made promises to Abraham and multiplied his descendants, and He rescued them out of Egypt and gave them the Law. He miraculously provided for them in the desert, but they disobeyed Him. However, “you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them” (v17).

“Many years you bore with them and warned them by your Spirit” (v30). Israel’s story reminds us that God is patient with us; He is not quick to punish but constantly calls us to surrender to Him.