In my reading through the Bible this year I have been increasingly reminded of 3 amazing things, the Tremendous Love of God, the Mighty Power of His Word and the Amazing Forgiveness He bestows on his fallen creation of men and women.

My brother Larry pictured above in his days of living far from God was a perfect example of a man to whom God applied these 3 incredible principles. God loved him enough to draw him like a magnet out of the debauchery of his lifestyle, covered and showered him with the cleansing flow of the Living Word of God, and then when he TURNED in REPENTANCE granted him complete forgiveness and a NEW LIFE in CHRIST JESUS!

Larry’s Story (Go here for more on his story)

Consider now the below story from the book of Nehemiah of the same process that occurred to the Children of Israel when a new generation of Jews came home from captivity to live in Jerusalem and the surrounding villages.

³ So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Temple servants, and some of the common people settled near Jerusalem. The rest of the people returned to their own towns throughout Israel.  Then all the people assembled with a unified purpose at the square just inside the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the priest to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had given for Israel to obey.

² So Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. ³ He faced the square from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.

⁴ He stood on a high wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet.

⁶ Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

⁷ The Levites—then instructed the people in the Law while everyone remained in their places. ⁸ They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.

⁹ Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

¹⁰ And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

God had graciously, because of His great love, led His people back to the Holy Land and then exposed them to His Word through a wonderful revival service. The Word had it’s way with them as they wept in repentance because of their sins and God forgave and restored them and they experienced the greatest joy of their lives.

How about you? Is there a “Turn” in your future?

For other inspiring stories go here: New Blog Index