So if you can imagine a huge amount of people now in the city. So lets read, “And all the people gathered as one person at the public square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses which the Lord had given to Israel. 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. And he read from it before the public square which was in front of the Water Gate, from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.”
In reading this, we find Jerusalem had not made Gods word the center point of their lives. In fact, it took Nehemiah to guide them to see now a turning point in their spiritual community, their way of living. Scripture tells us Gods word became LOST, absent, and neglected. And without much research in scripture, you will find just how not having God in the center of their lives costed them. So much was lost, so much was destroyed, all because they, just like us today, think we have it all under control; or we know whats best.
So in just these few verses, we are finding a miraculous thing happening. God’s spirit has moved in the lives of the people. These people had a change in heart, eagerness, and yearning to seek God and have God indwell in them. Remember, over the years, God’s word was lost to these people. They knew of the prophets and Gods Laws, but it became forgotten, lost and neglected. God changed their spirit, God revived them because they came to God freely and willingly. So what happened? Gods word is what happened.
So lets read on, “Then Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” with the raising of their hands; then they kneeled down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.”
Just like us today, these people was your average human. They had problems, circumstances, illness’s, bills to pay. And they was deliberately excited to come and just HEAR Gods word spoken to them. Now I can just imagine the POWER that moment was, to see literally thousands of people, hearing the Word of God and then worshipping. For those that don’t know, Amen in Hebrew ‘aw-mane’ means verily or truly.
So I want to ask you the question again, what gets you excited? As you see, the people of Israel, even though lost Gods word in their life, refound it and then became rejunivated once more by doing something we each need to do today. Have the eagerness, excitement and joy in reading, hearing and applying Gods words.
We gather here today friends, just as the jewish people did then, and even those listening on the internet, to want to hear and be fed by Gods majestic words. Whether our response to his word is sad repentance or happy rejoicing, this is the dynamic that is the heart of our faith. God chooses to speak to us through ancient words. Words to live by, words to thrive with. Also remember, its not the person who speaks the words to the people, it’s the Spirit of God that does it!
In the days of Jesus, scripture tells us clearly that Jesus preached, traveled to spread God's word, and made positive ways to respond. Jesus is the true image of who God is, as what the Gospel of John states, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.”
The Word of God! What a absolutely astonishing thing to behold. Even when God made all creation, he used his words to do so. It’s the Words of the living God that we each are made from. Did not Jesus tell us in Matthew 4, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”
Now, thinking that the story in Nehemiah is unique is not true. Another event occurred in the Book of 2 Kings. In Chapter 22 it tells us repairs was being done in the Lords House, and the High Priest Hilkiah made a startling find. Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, who read it. Then Shaphan the scribe came to the king and brought back word to the king and said, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house, and have handed it over to the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the Lord.” Moreover, Shaphan the scribe informed the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.
So again, we are finding God’s Holy Book lost from decades past; hidden or stashed away.
“When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying, “Go, inquire of the Lord for me and for the people and all Judah concerning the words of this book that has been found, for the wrath of the Lord that burns against us is great, because our fathers did not listen to the words of this book, to act in accordance with everything that is written regarding us.”
Did you hear that! Our Fathers did NOT listen to the words of this book! The book that was found, now is recognized as God’s Holy Word. What a divine statement. If anything, this shows us today that ignoring God's words comes with a high cost even in our daily lives. Each of us needs not to be part of the category where we did NOT listen to the words of Gods Book. So in considering the Power of Gods word, there is three things I want you to think about.
I. We Must Hear the Word
Paul reminds us that "faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ" Rom. 10:17 NIV).
Before the Word of God can be believed, remembered, or appropriated, it must be heard. Just as the men and women of Israel were willing to stand for hours listening to the Word of God, so we, too, must be willing to invest the time, effort, and energy necessary to hear God's Word. Jesus said, "Let him who has ears to hear, hear."
II. We Must Respond to the Word
A man once observed that in worship God is the audience, we are the participants. As Ezra read the Law, the people of God responded with praise and assent. Our hearts are made alive by faith and through the working of the Holy Spirit. We are liberated from sin and self that we might live to the praise and glory of God. Jesus said that the true worshipers of God do so in spirit and in truth. The subjective side of faith is in our personal appropriation of that truth through the response of commitment.
III. We Must Grow to More Fully Understand God's Word
Just like anything else in life, we must practice to become better at it. But the difference here, is we have God’s divine strength, knowledge and courage to do so.
Just as a person cannot learn to swim apart from getting into the pool, so we cannot live the Christian life at a purely theoretical level. Faith precedes understanding. Once we commit to God, we then will spend the rest of our lives coming to more fully understand the nature and will of God.
Inclosing friends, I ask you today, where does Gods word fit in your life? Where does it take refuge at? Psalms tells us I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
As I stated you the question before, what makes you really excited. I hope it’s the hearing and living of Gods word. Just as the examples in scripture I read tell us how important God's word is, it still applies today. To experience God's word is to hear it and live it; that’s the key. Without Gods word living in us, we are nothing! I would Love to see you come and fellowship with us in Gods house to hear his Word, in our Sunday School, bible study and other events; but if you can’t or don’t want too, I understand, but please do not ignore so great a thing as Gods Holy Living Word. Remember, friends, God didn’t design us to be hermit Christians, but to become Fellowship citizens with a servants heart, Social people of God, just as Christ was. I ask you today, to take it upon yourselves to make an adjustment in your life. Take time out for God in the hearing and reading of Gods word. Always remember, Gods word is the food we all live by.
Now if you don’t understand Gods word, if you can’t comprehend well, God understands it. Remember He reveals himself to ALL people in the way fit for us. God does not discriminate anyone from seeking him out. He eagerly seeks for your presence with Him. You don’t have to wait to find God, you have access at this very moment to do so. SO I plead with you to seek him out in your life, not just when you think you need him, but in everything you do. Amen
PRAYER OF CONFESSION