Nehemiah 8 - Praying God's Word

Please read Nehemiah 8.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/neh/8/1/s_421001

Meditate on verse 2.

Then Ezra the priest brought the law before

 the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen

 with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.

What a beautiful chapter for how to appropriately respond to God’s Word!  Ponder these truths:

·      The people asked for God’s Word, and they attentively listened to it with understanding (vs. 1-3).

·      When God’s Word was opened, all the people stood up (v. 5).

·      Ezra, the priest and reader of the Word, blessed the LORD the great God.  The people raised their hands and said, “Amen, Amen!”  Then, they bowed low and worshiped (v. 6).

·      The people stayed in their place while the Word of God was explained to them (vs. 7-8).

·      The people wept when they heard God’s Word (v. 9).

·      The leaders wanted to gain even more insight into God’s Word (v. 13).

·      Reading and understanding God’s Word was reason to rejoice (v. 17).

·      God’s Word was read daily to the people (v. 18).

Bless the LORD, the great God, for giving you His Word, desiring to read it daily. As you read, ask the Holy Spirit to give you understanding and greater insight, so it makes sense. Don’t be afraid to engage God’s Word on an emotional level, weeping at times and rejoicing at other times.

Pray Nehemiah 8:3 and 10 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, make _________ and me people who understand and are attentive

when Your Word is read.  This day is holy to You, LORD. 

Do not let us grieve, for Your joy, LORD, is our strength.

Thank You, LORD Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell