READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l In Nehemiah 9, we witness one of the longest prayers in the Bible. After the Israelites completed rebuilding the walls (Nehemiah 6-7), they celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles. While Chapter 8 focuses on rebuilding the people spiritually through God’s Word, Chapter 9 shows them responding with communal worship and deep repentance.
Revival is more than an emotional experience; it is a profound spiritual awakening that transforms lives. Historically, revivals have sparked significant movements, such as Pentecost in the early church, the Great Awakening in America and England (led by figures like Jonathan Edwards and John Wesley), and Singapore’s 1972 ACS Clock Tower Revival, which fuelled the charismatic movement. In February 2023, a regular chapel service at Asbury University ignited a 16-day revival in Hughes Auditorium. This event, spread via social media, drew 15,000 people daily, many from Generation Z, from across the world.
Stuart Piggin defines revival as a sovereign work of God, manifesting His glory on earth, often preceded by extraordinary unity and prayerfulness among Christians. Andrew Murray adds that Christians, although alive in faith, need revival to return to their first love for God.
Nehemiah 9 offers a vivid picture of revival as the Israelites realise how far they have strayed from God. Instead of despairing, they honestly confess their sins and renew their commitment to live according to God’s ways. This chapter provides three discipleship lessons we can apply today to experience revival:
- Remembering God’s Unwavering Faithfulness
The Israelites recall God’s divine attributes:
• God is Eternal (Nehemiah 9:5-6): Their prayer begins by praising God for His divine nature and exalting His name above all blessings.
• God is Unique (Nehemiah 9:6): They acknowledge God as Creator of heaven and earth, deserving of worship.
• God’s Covenant with Abraham (Nehemiah 9:7-8): God is faithful to His promises, delivering the Israelites from slavery.
• Deliverance from Egypt (Nehemiah 9:9-12) and Provision in the Wilderness (Nehemiah 9:13-21): He led them by a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night.
• Mercy Despite Disobedience (Nehemiah 9:26-31): Though they repeatedly rebelled, God remained merciful and gracious, never abandoning them.
Discipleship Lesson: We must remember God’s unwavering faithfulness in our lives. Like the Israelites, we should reflect on how God has been with us in both our highs and lows. Whether during crises or in daily life, reflecting on God’s faithfulness cultivates gratitude and deepens our love for Him. Sharing these testimonies of God’s faithfulness can encourage others.
- Repentance of Unfaithfulness
The Israelites spent hours confessing their sins and those of their ancestors (Nehemiah 9:1-3). They also fasted and wore sackcloth, symbols of their repentance. The Hebrew word for confession, “yadah”, means to “throw” or “cast off”—they were casting their sins away, but also admitting the mess they were in.
Eric Mason, author of Nehemiah for You, says, “We can turn from sin only when we admit we are a mess.” When God’s Word was read, the people were convicted of how far they had strayed from His laws. Broken and contrite, they spent hours confessing their sins.
Some key areas of unfaithfulness included:
• Rebellion in the Wilderness (Nehemiah 9:16-17)
• Idolatry (Nehemiah 9:18)
• Disobedience (Nehemiah 9:26-30)
Discipleship Lesson: True repentance involves honest confession and recognising the impact of our sin. Sin acts like a dirty window, blocking God’s light from shining into our lives. We must regularly examine ourselves, confess our sins, and seek God’s forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 reminds us that when we acknowledge our brokenness, God purifies us. True repentance means turning our hearts back to God, recognising not just what He has done, but who He is—bigger than our situation, bigger than our sin.
- Renewal of Commitment to God
In Nehemiah 9:38, the Israelites make a binding agreement to renew their commitment to God. Every revival is marked by renewed obedience to God’s Word and a collective commitment to walk in His ways. Revival is not merely an emotional response but a deliberate decision to follow God more closely.
Discipleship Lesson: We are called to renew our commitment to follow God faithfully. This can be done individually, as families, or in small groups. Reflect on the lessons you’ve learned from God and take deliberate steps to build a deeper relationship with Him. Revival begins with renewed commitment, but it is sustained through faithful obedience, even when life consumes us. In every season, we must recommit ourselves to walking in God’s ways.
As we seek revival, let’s remember God’s unwavering faithfulness, confess our unfaithfulness, and renew our commitment to follow Him in all we do.
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What is one key takeaway for you from this message?
- What does revival mean to you?
- What aspect of God’s divine attributes resonates with you?
- Share an incident in your life where you saw God’s faithfulness in your life?
- What is your understanding of confession and repentance. Are there areas of your life where you need to confess your sins to the Lord and turn away from?
- What practical steps can you take as you renew your commitments to walking in God’s Ways each day?
