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 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 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.