Today’s reading: Nehemiah 8:1-8
One of my favorite passages in Nehemiah is Nehemiah 8:1-8 because of how it highlights the importance of God’s Word and our need to know and understand it. The picture that came to mind from reading this passage was moving for me–in a motivating way, but also in a convicting way. Ezra stands before all the people (men, women and all who could understand what they heard) and publicly reads God’s Law from morning until the middle of the day, and “the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law” (vs. 3). That’s almost unheard of in our modern, packed full, self-centered, always on the go culture. Think about it with me. If we were invited to an event where we knew the Bible was going to be read out loud for six or more hours, would we be excited about it and inclined to attend? (This was the convicting part for me.)
Now the motivating part. God is for us, and He gave us His Word so we can know who He is and have a close and intimate relationship with Him. How awesome is it that we don’t have to wonder about God and what He desires for our lives? The Bible is the primary way God speaks to us, and through its pages we can hear and understand His heart, His mind, His voice and His absolute love for us. So if we want to know God better, regularly spending time reading, considering and studying the Bible is a must.
How would you describe your attitude or mindset toward God’s Word? Are you eager to hear, read and understand it? Why or why not? Will you join me in committing to spend a little more time each day connecting with God through His Word? Tami
Source: Tami’s Blog
