Reading: Nehemiah 7-8
And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground (Neh. 8:5-6).
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits (Ps. 103:1-2). Bless the Lord, all His works in all places of His dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul (103:22). Centuries after these words were first composed by King David, the remaining children of Israel again joined together in unadulterated worship and praise. The people now gathered in the city of David (II Sam. 5:7) had a multitude of reasons to celebrate. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:2; 3:2,8; Neh. 12:1), Ezra, and Nehemiah, God’s people had been granted the privilege of restoring the Altar, the Temple, and now, at long last, the walls and gates surrounding the city of Jerusalem. For the first time since their return from exile, the Jews had a concrete, physical means of security and protection.
As they gathered together, bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground, they thanked God for His physical provisions, but they also acknowledged an even greater truth. Just as Jerusalem's physical buildings and walls had been in shambles, so too were their spiritual lives. Timber, iron, stone, brick, and clay had been utilized in the physical restoration of buildings and walls, but there was only one thing upon which their spiritual restoration could be based. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law (Neh. 8:2-3).
Their spiritual renewal began with the public reading of God’s Word, the first such reading to occur since their return from exile. Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from Him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved (Ps. 62:1-2). The Levites moved out amongst the crowd, answering questions and offering clear explanations on the law being read (8:7-8), and the people were overcome with emotion. The shaky foundation upon which their faith had been built was now being reinforced, strengthened, and made whole. For quite possibly the first time in their lives, they truly felt the presence of God.
If our lives are not built upon the living Word of God, then they are built upon unsustainable lies. It is imperative to our spiritual health that we embrace His Word and hold it safely within our hearts and minds at all times. Only in this way will we, too, find solid ground on which to stand.
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock (Matt. 7:24-25).
Thought for Today: Over time, untended faith can grow so dim that it is imperceptible, but His Word can kindle it into a light that all can see.
Christ Revealed: Through the names required to be registered for priestly service (Neh. 7:64). Christ, our Great High Priest (Heb. 3:1), will soon return, wearing His Name, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS (Rev. 19:16).
Word Studies: 7:2 feared = had reverential, heartfelt submission to; 7:3 stand by = stand on guard; watches = guards; 7:61 seed = genealogical descent; 7:65 Urim and Thummim = two objects kept in the high priest's breastplate and used to determine the Lord's will (Ex. 28:30); 8:14 booths = temporary shelters.
Pray for Staff: Tifany Parisi • Government Official: Rep. Ken Calvert (CA) Rep. John James (MI) • Country: Poland (38,346,279) Eastern Europe • Major Language: Polish • Religious Freedom-Reports of Societal abuses or discrimination • 89.8% Roman Catholic; 1.3% Eastern Orthodox; 0.3% Protestant; 8.3% Unspecified; 0.3% Other (Jew, Muslim) • Prayer Suggestion: Pray and praise God for His faithfulness and mercy in keeping all His promises (II Chr. 6:14-15).
Optional Reading:II Corinthians 10.