Nehemiah 9: 3 “And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of their God for one fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God.”
Dear God,
Praise Your holy and beautiful name, we can follow the example of the Israelites and also read Your Word and by so doing we will also receive the promised blessings and peace which come from remembering Your Your great works and laws for living. For us also profound gladness comes, leading to a desire to worship in word and song.
Nehemiah and the other people were not half hearted, for I don’t think it was easy to stand up and listen to a reading for around 4 hours and confess and worship for the same time again. They showed true dedication and perseverance, to learn Your word and do what was right.
Please fill me and others in these times, with the same stamina, spirit and open mind to seek to understand Your law, and be led to repentance from any apostasy or half-hearted reading and applying of Your words.
The same spirit of open mindedness and desire to do all You asked was in the early Acts church built up by the apostles of Jesus. They and the converts studied Your word and put aside wrong doing and pooled their resources; because they now had hearts of love and like mindedness. If these activities and spirit do not exist in our church fellowship we are all the poorer for this and cannot be vibrant and growing.
Nehemiah and all the people present began by celebrating the completion of the Jerusalem wall and then they celebrated Your goodness.
Thank You for the blessings for me (others) when we also celebrate Your goodness and what has been achieved each day. This activity is so good for us, and it takes away the focus on self and places it upon all aspects of Your character and laws for living, successfully and with joy.
I have prayed a recommitment prayer and for Your enduring strength, so that it will be sufficient for the task You have given me. Nehemiah 8: 6 “And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. Then all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen! While lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.”
Amen