Nehemiah 8:1-18
I found Nehemiah 8:1-18 a little sad, but mostly encouraging. The sad part was how far the people had moved away from God and how they had forgotten His Word. The encouraging part--seeing the power of God's Word. I loved how everyone took in the Word and how doing that caused a complete change of heart in the people.So what does Nehemiah 8:1-18 show us about our treatment of, and attitude toward, God's Word? What about our need to know, understand and apply it? Tami W.
There are times when I feel distant from God, it is important to note that I do not feel God as distant from me. Perhaps the best way to describe what I am saying is there are times when God becomes transparent I can see God but there is nothing solid. But then when I begin reading the Revelation of God (the bible) God is no longer transparent God becomes solid.
My own testimony of the bible is that it is a "PRESENT" book. Although it contains both history and future since I live in the present the bible meets me in the present using its history to embrace my future with God and all of creation.
Grace and PEACE,
Gary
As I read about them listening to the Word and studying the Word for seven days, I could only think of Revivals we had when I was younger. Many souls were saved, many returned to God. People were really changed. Oh how we need that kind of revival.
I see in this passage the importance of really knowing and understanding God's Word, and the joy that brought to those returning exiles. As their hearts are changed, their joy in Him increases, as well.
Standing on a box reading Gods word, that is pretty much what we are suppose to do today so that all nations will hear his word and have the information to make a decision. To be good or bad!
I think that I don't appreciate enough that I have the word of God at my fingertips and in many different versions to help me understand.
I see God giving us documentation for us as future generations and how He reveals the validity of his word for those who will research and see that all of the history is accurate, just like some of the artifacts that are found in certain time periods, when God allows it. I also see that He truly meant it when He said 'go and multiply and cover the earth' (not exact quote but what I remember anyway :) His chosen people will never die out, and God is always protecting them. God loves us so much and yet we continue to make silly human mistakes.
Hearing and studying God's Word caused a great revival in the people to change. Let this be a reminder to us that God's word can do the same for us today, if we make spending time in studying his word a priority.
Have A Christ Centered Day!
Deborah
Wow. People just standing and listening to God - and we complain about a Sunday morn that goes beyond the desired time frame. We have so much yet to learn from God's word if we would just take advantage of the opportunity. I am so thankful that our God is a God of mercy.
We are lazy in our devotion and worship to God. We don't stand up to hear His word. In fact, I've heard some people change churches because our pews are not comfortable or there is not enough leg room. It's also sad how quickly we forget what we are supposed to do. I'm sure there were older people who were telling the younger ones what Moses had revealed-but they were ignored so the information was lost from one generation to another. I agree with Loretta-We need revival.
God is so loyal, he always does what he says that he will do. That is comforting!
We need revival as a whole.
This is my prayer for ALL of us:)