Nehemiah 7 - 8:12
I loved the story today of Ezra reading the Word of God! The people were all the people. The men, women, and all the children that were old enough to understand and they listened from early morning to noon to God's Word. Imagine, they were listening closely to the words (we are told). They weren't looking at watches, tapping watches, no they were listening intently and it wasn't like the pastor went over by a few minutes it was for hours! Listening intently to God's Words lost in all that He was and is. When was the last time that we listened intently to God's Words without the thoughts of lunch, our problems, the people sitting next to us, the day ahead, the world??? When did we just immerse ourselves in God's Words and everything else was truly set aside?
Ezra stood on a platform where all could see him and all the people rose to their feet. When Ezra praised God, all the people shouted Amen! Amen! and raised their hands and they bowed down and worshiped the LORD! They were humbled and full of praise.
The priests walked around explaining God's Word to them. The people were crying and they were encouraged not to weep, but to celebrate that the LORD is your strength!
Listen to these words from Nehemiah 8:12 ~
So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God's words and understood them.
Yes, indeed we should follow this example. We should celebrate that we are able to hear God's words and that we are able to understand them! Celebrate that we have God's Words and that we openly are given the gift of worship with the One who created everything and everyone.
Imagine this celebration! Imagine all the happiness of the people that worked so hard to rebuild the wall and it was time to celebrate and understand God's Words together! We are given a wonderful gift. God' s Words are a gift that each of us should celebrate as well!
Celebrate today!
Sweet blessings,
Debbie
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