In Nehemiah, chapter nine, verse six, the primary themes of this outstanding prayer are God’s gracious endeavor to provide redemption and salvation for Israel and Israel’s ungrateful response to that divine love throughout its history. Ezra’s prayer is the majority of this chapter, which begins in verse six and ends at thirty-seven.
The summary of their prayers is here upon record. Much more, no doubt, was said. Whatever ability we have to do anything in the way of duty, we are to serve and glorify God according to the utmost of it. When confessing our sins, it is good to notice the mercies of God so we may be more humbled and ashamed. The dealings of the Lord showed his goodness and long-suffering and the hardness of their hearts.
The testimony of the prophets was the testimony of the Spirit in the prophets and the Spirit of Christ in them. They spoke as directed by the Holy Ghost and what they said to receive accordingly. The result was wonder at the Lord’s mercies and the feeling that sin had brought them to their present state, from which nothing but unmerited love could rescue them. And is not their conduct a specimen of human nature?
Let us study the history of our land and our history. To recollect our advantages from childhood and ask what were our first returns. Let us frequently do so that we may be humble, thankful, and watchful. All should remember that pride and obstinacy are sins that ruin the soul. But it is often as hard to persuade the broken-hearted to hope as formerly it was to bring them to fear. Is this the case? Behold this sweet promise, A God ready to pardon! Instead of keeping away from God under a sense of unworthiness, let us come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in times of need. He is a God ready to pardon.