May 20 - Nehemiah 9:33

You have been just

in all that has come upon us,

for you have dealt faithfully and

we have acted wickedly.

Nehemiah 9:33

The old joke among prison guards is that, “There is no one guilty in prison.”

Yes, every convict has been convicted of something. But 95% seem to have an excuse as to why they were wrongly convicted. (They were set-up. Their lawyer wasn’t any good. The police are corrupt. It was a mistaken identity. Some blame their parents or the system.)

In Nehemiah 9, the people stood before God … the judge.

Ezra the priest spoke on their behalf.

• He said, “We’re part of the 5% who really are guilty.”
• All of Israel was saying, “We have acted wickedly.”
• Israel proclaimed, “You, our judge, have dealt fairly.”
• “We deserve all that has come upon us.”

The first step to health in life is being honest.

Have you heard the phrase “Honest to God”? That’s the first step. When we are honest to God, that’s the beginning of healing. It’s the re-beginning of relationship, through restoration of relationship. It’s peace with God. It’s true and freedom and victory.

You’ve heard me say many times, “Some of my favorite people are recovering alcoholics.” Why? Because they’re the only ones of us who have to be honest; the rest of us pretend. But honesty sets – and keeps – them free.

What do you need to be honest to God about today?

In Christ’s Love,

a thankful guy who deserves

to be incarcerated

…  except someone paid

my penalty for me