written by- Jeff Myers
As you are well aware, it is football season in the South. Every Saturday a significant portion of
our community spends approximately 3 hours watching, attending, or experiencing a football
game. But, this is often not an isolated event. Allow me to demonstrate from the last week of
my life:
I attended my son’s Junior Varsity football game: 3 hours
I attended my son’s Varsity football game: 3 hours
I attended meetings at the church Monday night: 3 hours
I played golf (I play fast): 3 hours
I mowed the grass and did yard work: 3 hours
Do you see a pattern?
I am willing to say your life has a similar pattern albeit different activities and endeavors. Many
of the necessary and elective activities of our life take a significant amount of time, 3 hours, to
accomplish.
We see this same pattern in Nehemiah chapter 9:3, “they spent a fourth of the day (3 hours)
confessing their sins.”
Can you imagine confessing your sins for the length of a football game or the time it takes to
mow your yard and trim the bushes? Can you imagine being honest before God for that length
of time regarding all that you have done and thought contrary to His word, will, and way?
What were the results? Allow me to compare:
Football game(s) —- 2 losses, but they played hard and learned lessons
Meetings ————– Much discussion, a few decisions, meet again in a month
Golf ——————— If you have ever played. . . frustration but great fellowship
Yardwork ————- Looked great but will need attention again next week
Nehemiah 9:3: —— One of the great revivals of the Old Testament
In the days ahead you will probably participate in one or more of the activities I have listed
above for a similar time period. There is nothing inherently wrong with your participation;
however, the lessons learned and decisions made will rarely have eternal value or worth. Yet,
anytime we come before the Lord with the admission of and desire to repent of our sins
eternity is affected and revival is possible.
Let me challenge you this day to confess your sins before the Lord. Start with 3 minutes, you
might be surprised how long it feels!
