This week we see that confession of sin is lead by the genuine recognition of the holiness of God. God's people had promised to be faithful, but following their return from exile, the people turned to being unfaithful to God and disobeying His commands. Yet God remained faithful. The people saw the greatness of God which led them to repentance.

Ezra was approached by the nations leaders who shared the negative behaviors and lifestyles of the people. It was as if they had forgotten God. Ezra's response of honest confession before a holy God ought to teach us something about his character and about our need to do likewise. Ezra confessed the sins of the nation to God through prayer and sought forgiveness. Ezra took his sin seriously, asked for repentance and celebrated God's grace .

The prophet Jeremiah tried to warn the king and people to stop sinning and to turn back to God, but they didn't listen. So God sent His judgment by bringing the king of Babylon to Judah. Even in the midst of hardship, God still shared encouragement by reminding His people that He has a saving plan.

The prophet Nahum sought to wake up the people to turn from their wicked ways, and warned of a coming judgment and devastation as a consequence of the people's sins. Through Nahum, God told the people of the urgency to listen to these warnings and to turn to Him for hope, joy, and peace that can only be found by His grace.

The Book of Jonah demonstrates the mercy and grace of God. This grace and mercy is shown to Jonah, but also to a group of people who didn't have a relationship with God. Even though punishment was due, God relented and chose to save. We also may think we are too distant or too far gone to be accepted by God, but He is always there, ready to receive and love those who turn to Him.

Repentance is an internal and external turning from sin and movement toward God. Matthew 3 speaks about repentance and shares that evidence can be seen of genuine repentance. What begins in the heart will certainly impact the life of the believer.

This weekend we look at the Book of Zephaniah, which serves as a stern rebuke of God's people and a warning regarding a failure to return to Him faithfully. It also serves as a reminder of God's expectation of holiness and a description of what that looks like when faithfully lived out among God's people.

This week, we read about God’s messenger Isaiah who would share a strong message to remind His people of the consequences if they did not turn from their sinful ways.

This weekend we start a new unit with King Joash. Joash became king at age of seven. One incredible detail about King Joash is how he is described in 2 Kings 12:2: "Throughout the time the priest Jehoiada instructed him, Joash did what was right in the LORD's sight.”

This weekend we read 2 Samuel 11-12, a very heartbreaking story of covetousness, deceit, and even death. Yet, God is a God of mercy and grace. David repented of his sin and God forgave him - but David learned sin always comes with a price.