PRAYER OF DEDICATION

Nehemiah 9:1-38

  1. the preparations that preceded the prayer - 9:1-3
    1. fasting and humility - 1
    2. separation from all strangers (the world) - 2
    3. confession of sin - 2
    4. reading God’s Word - 3
  2. the prayer - 9:4-38
    1. the prayer focuses on the continual manifestation of God’s grace & love in His dealings with His often disobedient people
    2. worship and remembering the greatness of God - 5-6
      1. far to little of our time is spent in adoring and praising our God
      2. by worshipping God we lift our minds, attitudes and our feelings above the things of this earth
      3. it helps us to understand who He is in comparison to His creation
    3. remembrance of God’s gracious dealings with Abraham - 7-8
      1. God made promises
      2. God kept His promises
      3. God can be trusted because He is righteous - "for thou art righteous"
    4. remembrance of God’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage - 9-15
    5. remembrance of God’s goodness & patience when dealing with His rebellious people - 16-25
      1. their sin
        1. desired to return to their bondage in Egypt - 16-17
        2. made and worshipped a false god - 18
      2. God’s grace
        1. He did not forsake them - 17 & 19
        2. gave them guidance - 19
        3. He provided for their needs - 20-21
        4. gave them a great possession - 22
        5. increased their numbers greatly - 23
        6. gave them great victories over their enemies - 24
        7. gave them the fat of the land - 25
    6. remembrance of God’s mercy after they were in the promised land - 26-31
      1. a cycle that is often repeated - 26-27
        1. their rebellion - 26
        2. God’s judgment - "thou deliveredst them" - 27
        3. the repentance of the people - "they cried unto thee" - 27
        4. God’s mercy and deliverance - 27
        5. the people had rest - 28
      2. the cycle (rebellion, judgment, repentance, restoration, rest)
      3. many times did God in mercy deliver them - 28
      4. God tried to help them and prevent them from falling back into sin - 29-30
      5. God never forgot to be merciful - 31
    7. the people confess their sins - 32-37
      1. the judgments of God are declared to be just and well-deserved because of their sin - 32-35
      2. their slavery & high taxes are seen as part of God’s discipline for their sin - 36-37
    8. their pledge of dedication and commitment - 38
      1. their commitment was both specific and public
      2. they were a serious people enjoying revival