A few weeks ago we read in 2 Kings 22 as King Josiah read the Word of God for the very first time and wept (it had been lost in the church).  He was eighteen years old, but Josiah led his people in the reading of the Word, then broke images and altars to false gods and abolished immorality.  Revival came to the kingdom of Judah. 

One hundred years later and after many years of captivity we see again the profound impact of God’s Word on His people.  Ezra had been, for years, committed to the study of the law and now he set out to teach it.  Ezra stood behind a wooden podium made for that purpose (Nehemiah 8:4).  (Perhaps it was much like the one Steve Maricle made for First B) As he opened the book all the people stood up (Vs.5)  He read from “early morning until midday” (Vs. 3)  These Israelites had been in captivity for seventy years and were hungry for the Word.  In fact, the writer says that “the people wept when they heard the words of the law” (Vs.9)  After hearing the Word they went out rejoicing and serving (Vs 10) and celebrating “because they had understood the words made known to them” (Vs.12)

I remember, too, when I really heard the Word for the first time.  I was nine years old.  I had heard many Bible stories, but this time it was different.  I listened as the pastor read to me from I John 2:12, “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.” I wept, for I had received Christ and was experiencing great peace and joy from His Word. 

The writer of Nehemiah goes on to tell us in Chapter 9 of how the people listened to the Word being read for six hours and then for another six hours they confessed their sins and worshipped the Lord. 

The prophet Jeremiah said in Jeremiah 15:16, ” Thy words were found and I ate them, and Thy words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart…”  In Hebrews 4:12 we read, “For the Word of God is living and active…”  I pray that I will hunger more and more for His Word, that I won’t allow my Bible to become lost in my home or hidden on my shelf.  I pray that by reading it I will be drawn to confession and worship.  I pray that it will be a joy and a delight of my heart.  I will pray that for all of us at First B.

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 5th, 2007 at 5:54 am and is filed under Daily Readings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.