“But You are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness, and did not forsake them.” – Nehemiah 9:17
As Nehemiah’s account draws to a close, the people of Israel stand together confessing their sins. Their leaders recount the long, winding journey of their nation—its failures, rebellions, deliverances, and mercies. They remind the people of everything God had done on their behalf, and then they acknowledge their present spiritual condition. They were experiencing blessing again because their hearts had finally turned back to the Lord.
The walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt. The temple was restored. Worship was renewed. Why? Because obedience had returned. Israel discovered once more that God’s character had not changed. In the Old Testament, He is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness, and faithful even when His people are not. In the New Testament, we see those same attributes embodied perfectly in Jesus. God loved us so deeply that He stepped off His throne, took on flesh, and became our sacrifice. The proper response to such love is not mere emotion—it is obedience.
A.W. Tozer once wrote, “We do not come to love God by a sudden emotional visitation. Love for God results from repentance, amendment of life, and a fixed determination to love Him.” Words alone are cheap. We can say we love Jesus, but Scripture reminds us that love is proven through action. “Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). Jesus made the first move—He acted in love toward you. The question now is whether you will respond in obedience.
Is there an area of your life where obedience has slipped? Are you experiencing God’s kindness but withholding your surrender? He is still gracious, still ready to pardon, still abundant in mercy. He has not forsaken you. Today, choose to love Him back—not just with words, but with your life.
“There is more mercy in Christ than sin in us.” – Richard Sibbes
surrendered devotions 