PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Nehemiah 7-8
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.” (Nehemiah 8:9)
Have you ever been moved to tears while reading the bible?
Has a word or thought comforted or convicted you in an emotional way?
I can’t think of any teary moments, but I can think of AHA moments.
We don’t know why the people were weeping, but I can think of some possible reasons.
Maybe they were crying because they were finally able to worship like they used to.
Maybe they wept because the reality of home was not very promising.
Maybe the message of the words convicted them, or perhaps overwhelmed them.
Whatever the reason, something triggered an emotional response that went deep.
This makes me wonder about how I spend time with the Lord in scripture.
Do I even slow down long enough to let him speak, to think about his message to me?
Do I read in such a way that the message can speak to the deeper parts in me?
Maybe I don’t weep because I don’t expect to, or want to.
The Spirit of Jesus is with me right now, and has something to say to me.
May I be open to hearing what he says in a deep, real and emotional way.
PRAYER
Lord, speak to me in such a way… and help me to listen in such a way… that what I hear moves me too.
“Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.” Even though the were living within the ruins of the destruction – the people came together to worship and to listen to the reading of the law – it saddened them – the evidence of the destruction was a reminder of how God had carried out the consequences of deviating from God’s law. Yet they were a new beginning – and blessed by God to restart. I too need to look back and ponder – and yet worship as I see evidences of God’s grace in my life! Amen and Amen.
The people gathered together to hear the Word of the Lord for hours and worshiped Him together – being taught, getting understanding on what they hearing. I too need to hear His Word and understand so that this day I live for Him and do His will. They received the encouragement that the joy of the Lord God is their strength. I need to go forward in that strength this day and every day guided by His Word/Spirit. Speak Lord for Your servant is listening.
The joy of the LORD is my strength
The joy of the LORD is my strength
The joy of the LORD is my strength
Oh, the joy of the LORD is my strength.
He gives me living water and I thrist no more
He gives me living water and I thrist no more
He gives me living water and I thrist no more
For the joy of the LORD is my strength
If you want joy you must sing for it
If you want joy you must sing for it
If you want joy you must sing for it
For the joy of the LORD is my strength
If you want joy you must shout …jump for it..
If you want joy you must shout …jump for it..
If you want joy you must shout …jump for it..
For the joy of the LORD is my strength