Nehemiah 9:1-15
Yesterday we saw how taking in God's Word changed the hearts and attitudes of the people. And today...another step forward. The people outwardly express their renewed love of God and His Word through confession, worshipping and taking in more of God's Law. I tried to visualize the scene in verses 1-5, and honestly, it was kind of hard to imagine standing and listening to scripture for three hours, and then confessing and worshipping the Lord for three more. That's just not a typical practice this day in age, at least not in the US.So what did the scene in verses 1-5 reveal to you? Anything you might consider incorporating into your personal time with the Lord? Tami W.
A great revival of Gods' called.
As far as the US, very few would worship God and receive the Word for one hour a week, even less would actually prepare for that hour, and that is speaking of professing Christians.
The stark contrast is that those same people would spends days, weeks, months and endless resources anticipating and preparing for a sporting event, concert, vacation and etc. I know, I was one.
I do have great hope that God is stirring and creating a hunger and thirst, a true desire to encounter the living and active King of Glory. Thank you for your part.
An awakening is in order. Praise the Lord mine has come and continues..................................................
During early morning prayer time at church, my prayer partner and I have confessed our sins, prayed, and rejoiced. It was great to read the scripture where this is found. We don't do this enough. I think we are too ashamed, and don't want people to know what we have done.
My heart goes out to us as a whole.
We are the church. It is not a building, it is us, the believers.
We NEED to wake up, and realize how far we have fallen. I pray God, open our eyes as a whole.
God we NEED your help, Lord open our eyes and ours hearts towards you Lord and your ways. Guide and make us whole and new. In your name Amen.
Satan is so happy right about now as we are so blind to how far we have fallen. God wants us to wake up and live life for Him. He has done so MUCH for us:) Lord bring us ALL, the LOVE for you, to do the things you want us to do. Lord open our eyes. Lord draw us near to you. We trust you Lord. We want to live for you. Revive us Lord.
When I consider that the word of God had been bound for 40 years, it's not hard for me to imagine listening to it read all year. The difference in them and us today, I believe is, they had a hunger for what they had lost. We should take advantage of the availability we have to the word of the ALL MIGHTY GOD
I think a lot of the christian family have bought the deception that the truth will set us free. In John 8:31-32 the bible clearly states that if we ABIDE in God's Word the truth of it will set us free, Thank You for this resource where we can abide in the Word of God.
The underlying message I see in all this, even beyond all the calls for a constant spirit of renewal and refreshment among God's people, is God's willingness to work in and through His people--to love them, forgive their sin, teach them through His Word how to be the people He wanted them to me, empower them to do so, renew their strength, and use them for His glory.
Yes, these returning Israelites stood in need of revival. No denying that. But, let's be very careful to understand what that truly means, and to not to confuse the need for revival with the need for commitment, as we often do.
They weren't just waking up to a need to return to God and commit themselves to Him in this passage. They'd reached that point and made that decision back in Babylon, just as God had said they would.
When they committed themselves to God, He brought them back and gave them the task of rebuilding the walls, as well as the strength and resources with which to do so in miraculously speedy fashion, despite the opposition they faced.
Their spirits and energy understandably drained by the task, they needed it renewed, and knew that was the case. So, in chapter 8, they called for Ezra to bring out the book of the law and read it. As they sought God for a time of renewing, He did indeed renew, and continued to shape His people further into His likeness.
So, what I see here in chapter 9 is God reviving His people, renewing their strength, and continuing to mold them.
Revival, to my mind, is both the need and evidence of a people who have been made alive in Christ and being used by Him. The church as the body of Christ, composed of all true believers, constantly needs revival, just as the human body constantly needs renewed strength and vitality.
R&R is for those who are engaged in the battle. The water boy gives a refreshing drink to those who have been on the field. Revival is for those who are engaged in the work of the Kingdom, who are allowing Him to work through them.
Hello Tami,
The difference between our scientific law and the law spoken of in Nehemiah: scientific laws operate on their own without the need for anyone to believe in them. God's law offers that men and women use their conscience to participate in it. After all it is the right ordinances in the new covenant that bring the believer to the mountain.
Reading about these people makes me ashamed that I find so little time to worship God. I dont know why, perhaps because I have allowed the secular world to overshadow what I KNOW is right.
This encouraged me to spend more time with God in the morning. I do pray,read, but it's hard to quiet myself for long when i'm by myself. Church isn't long enough for me, it's the atmosphere of worship. It's real discipline to spend more time with Him when alone. I did so this morning & i found peace & direction for my day with Him. Thank you
Laurel, I would encourage you to not get to down on yourself. You bring up something that is true for ALL of us, for us ALL to not fall with the secular way of doing things. Thank you for that reminder.