Today’s Reading, Nehemiah 8-9
Focal Scripture: Nehemiah 8:18 “Ezra read out of the book of the law of God every day, from the first day to the last. The Israelites celebrated the festival for seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the ordinance.”
Do you have people in your life that you can be very transparent with? These are people who know your heart and know what you mean when you talk. They also understand your wants, desires, goals and ambitions. They know these things about you because you explain your heart to them in detail. You have conversations they are meaningful and powerful and it leads to a deep relationship. Your heart is exposed.
This is what happens in our reading today. Ezra is reading the book of the law to the people. He does it everyday and brings people to a place of deep communion with the Lord and his standard. After the word of the Lord is heard it leads to a solemn assembly. A solemn assembly is a time of reflection on who God is and why he is worthy to be worshipped. By reading the book it reveals how a person should respond to God’s word personally and corporately. The goal of Bible reading is to build a healthy relationship between God and man.
That relationship can only exist accurately when we spend time with the Lord and we know his heart. In addition, by reading the book it reveals to us where our failures are in our relationship with God. If you ever doubt the power of hearing the word proclaimed this account gives evidence of why the Bible is the standard and not opinions.
We also learn here that the nation hasn’t been spending time with God. They don’t know his standard and or his expectations. The people here confessed their own sin and the sins of the nation. They were exposed because they couldn’t hide from the word of God.
The challenge I have for you today is to be a person of the book. Don’t get lost in life or the busyness of the next event. Even if you are in trouble and don’t have time make the Bible a priority. Then when you are exposed with what needs to be addressed, address it with a tender heart and grateful spirit.
Love the law of the Lord. Don’t shy away from it or abandon it, even when it is difficult to apply. Make it a priority for you and those who you want a deeper relationship. We can only know the God of the Bible intimately if we are a people of the book.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Nehemiah 10-11
