God's Word Honored

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Text: Nehemiah 8:1-12

Has the word of God ever brought you to tears after reading it?

Nehemiah had just finished building a great wall around Jerusalem to protect the people from enemy attack. The wall was completed in 52 days (Ne. 6:15). "All the people gathered" and asked Ezra, the scribe and priest, "to bring the book of the law of Moses" (Ne. 8:1). When Ezra opened the book, "all the people stood up" (Ne. 8:5). "Ezra blessed the Lord...and the people bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground" (Ne. 8:6). There were no paper and electronic versions of the Bible. There were no pulpits or pews. There were no public announcement systems, worship bands, or choirs. Just the word of God being read and explained distinctly for their understanding. "The people wept, when they heard the words of the law" (Ne. 8:9). Ezra read for approximately six hours, "from the morning until midday" (Ne 8:3).

Seldom do we worship anymore with our faces to the ground—but perhaps we should. Such a posture would remind us that God is the King and we are His subjects. He is sovereign; we are not. 
- Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible Notes 

Would you be able to listen attentively for six hours to the reading of God's Word? We hardly hear the word of God read in some churches today. It has been diminished to a few minutes on a program filled with worship songs. But when we read the Word of God it draws us to repentance. Our soul cries out from a thirsty place and we yearn for God's presence. We are stirred, moved, and shaken by what He reveals unto us. It is time for us to open the book again, so we can hear God speak again.

Prayer
Dear God, speak to my heart again. I have listened to everyone else but you. Forgive me for not spending more time in your Word. I yearn for your presence. Speak, Lord, speak. Amen!