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LaunchPad: Day 32 · Equipped: A Podcast Platform for the Equip Ministry of Cuyahoga Valley Church

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Today we're looking at Nehemiah 9, verses 16 through 21.
• 0:07
  SPEAKER_00: This week I had a conversation individually with nine people.
• 0:12
  SPEAKER_00: Each person was asked the same question which I chose.
• 0:16
  SPEAKER_00: I told each person to pause, reflect, and then respond.
• 0:22
  SPEAKER_00: The question was, how has God revealed His patience toward you during your life?
• 0:29
  SPEAKER_00: How has He proved that He is a divinely patient father?
• 0:34
  SPEAKER_00: The responses varied, yet there were some common expressions and reflections.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_00: Each person, after thinking back over their life, sighed.
• 0:45
  SPEAKER_00: The sigh represented the experience of God's repeated forgiveness and the kindness of his extended grace.
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_00: Each person marveled at God's distinct holiness, him being so different than ourselves, being able to endure our failures and sins.
• 1:05
  SPEAKER_00: Several said that they could never tolerate a relationship with another person that regularly breaks a promise or fails to follow through.
• 1:16
  SPEAKER_00: Several rejoiced at the reflection as they considered the marvelous attribute of God as the perfect patient father.
• 1:25
  SPEAKER_00: God has spoken several times in his word declaring his character.
• 1:30
  SPEAKER_00: Here in Nehemiah nine, after a long review of God's mercies, protection, provision, and rescue, we see Israel's sinful, rebellious response, as they were stiff necked and disobedient.
• 1:46
  SPEAKER_00: God had righteous anger, yet he was still willing to show mercy, steadfast love, and forgiveness rather than abandoning them.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_00: He chose not to forsake them.
• 1:59
  SPEAKER_00: In the incredible relationship that Moses enjoyed with God, the Lord decided to proclaim his identity to his servant.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_00: The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.
• 2:20
  SPEAKER_00: This is found in Exodus thirty four, verses six and seven.
• 2:25
  SPEAKER_00: Each of those I interviewed spoke of his amazing forgiveness and his remarkable patience experienced in their walk with God.
• 2:34
  SPEAKER_00: There are many ways God has revealed himself to us, bringing about our love response.
• 2:41
  SPEAKER_00: It seemed to me that those interviewed were a bit stunned by his mercy and steadfast love.
• 2:48
  SPEAKER_00: It led some of them to stop and give him praise and thanksgiving.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: Praise to the only great God that deals with us in repetitive forgiveness, even choosing to forget our sins and release fresh and amazing grace.
• 3:05
  SPEAKER_00: No wonder that those that know God love him.
• 3:09
  SPEAKER_00: During this same week, while praying with our staff, one of the leaders humbly prayed, We love you, we love you, we love you.
• 3:21
  SPEAKER_00: It's all we can say.
• 3:23
  SPEAKER_00: Her voice and tone reflected a heartfelt passion for our God, evidence of his nearness and his beauty.
• 3:32
  SPEAKER_00: God's amazing patience is just one of his sparkling attributes, and by his love it is a transferable quality.
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_00: The scripture says that the Holy Spirit gives and produces godly patience in the children of God.
• 3:49
  SPEAKER_00: The fruit of the Spirit makes us all more like Him.
• 3:53
  SPEAKER_00: Deeply patient brothers and sisters in Christ are wonderful.
• 3:58
  SPEAKER_00: They are wonderful in community and in all relationships.
• 4:03
  SPEAKER_00: They are wonderful because they are like God, like our Jesus was with his young disciples, and now with all of us.
• 4:12
  SPEAKER_00: Our Lord continues to be full of grace and mercy, even though at times we resemble Israel in the wilderness, stubborn and stiff necked and unfaithful.
• 4:23
  SPEAKER_00: Another intriguing truth about God is that He is love.
• 4:28
  SPEAKER_00: Paul, writing to the early church, communicated what divine love looked like.
• 4:33
  SPEAKER_00: I suggest you slow down here and think again of his love for you.
• 4:39
  SPEAKER_00: In First Corinthians thirteen, Paul writes Love is patient and kind.
• 4:47
  SPEAKER_00: Love does not envy or boast.
• 4:50
  SPEAKER_00: It is not arrogant or rude.
• 4:53
  SPEAKER_00: It does not insist on its own way.
• 4:56
  SPEAKER_00: It is not irritable or resentful.
• 4:59
  SPEAKER_00: It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
• 5:04
  SPEAKER_00: Love bears all things, endures all things.
• 5:10
  SPEAKER_00: Paul taught that faith, hope, and love were the most excellent spiritual gifts, and that love is the greatest of these.
• 5:20
  SPEAKER_00: Being a teacher for the past fifty years, I have always appreciated using good questions to get students to think.
• 5:28
  SPEAKER_00: So here I ask you, how has God displayed his wonderful patience in your life?
• 5:35
  SPEAKER_00: Perhaps you can share your answer with someone.
• 5:38
  SPEAKER_00: They would be blessed to hear your story of grace and mercy.
• 5:42
  SPEAKER_00: As for prayer, let's try this.
• 5:45
  SPEAKER_00: Lord, as I finish this devotional, I have no petitions to ask, only praise to give.
• 5:53
  SPEAKER_00: Lord, I love you because