Remorse. Regrets. Who doesn't have a long list of them? If only life afforded an endless supply of "do-overs"!
The dilemma of reading and hearing God's word is that it all too often incites painful feelings of remorse and regret. Confronted by God's perfect standard, our personal failings quickly provoke guilt. But, it is never God's intent that His word leave us to helplessly wallow in guilt.
Nehemiah eight is an account of a great gathering of the people of Israel to hear the law of God read publicly. A wooden podium was constructed for the reader (8:4), so that he might be better seen and heard by the vast crowd. These words describe what happened: "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!" while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground." (Nehemiah 8:5-6) Verse eight tells us that the readers "read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading."
God's word penetrated the hearts and minds of the listeners, and profound grief over their disobedience resulted. Nehemiah and the other readers implored the people to refrain from sorrow because, "this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (verse 9) Chapter nine records the events of a later solemn day of confession and fasting - when profound grief was appropriate - but, the day of hearing God's word was to be a holy, joyous occasion.
God's word is to be heard and received with gladness and joy. Later, as we linger over it and allow it to fully penetrate our hearts and minds, a response of confession and grief over sin is appropriate. But, it is to be received with joy because "the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Who doesn't need joy and strength? Life in a fallen world easily robs us of both. Reading, hearing, and studying God's word - individually and in groups - is the source of both joy and strength.
Need some incentive to get in to the word of God today? This is it: it is your source of joy and strength. On its pages your will encounter your Creator, through His Son, and find abundant joy and strength for the trials and challenges of life.
May His word be a delight to you today as you devote yourself to reading and studying it.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
The dilemma of reading and hearing God's word is that it all too often incites painful feelings of remorse and regret. Confronted by God's perfect standard, our personal failings quickly provoke guilt. But, it is never God's intent that His word leave us to helplessly wallow in guilt.
Nehemiah eight is an account of a great gathering of the people of Israel to hear the law of God read publicly. A wooden podium was constructed for the reader (8:4), so that he might be better seen and heard by the vast crowd. These words describe what happened: "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!" while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground." (Nehemiah 8:5-6) Verse eight tells us that the readers "read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading."
God's word penetrated the hearts and minds of the listeners, and profound grief over their disobedience resulted. Nehemiah and the other readers implored the people to refrain from sorrow because, "this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (verse 9) Chapter nine records the events of a later solemn day of confession and fasting - when profound grief was appropriate - but, the day of hearing God's word was to be a holy, joyous occasion.
God's word is to be heard and received with gladness and joy. Later, as we linger over it and allow it to fully penetrate our hearts and minds, a response of confession and grief over sin is appropriate. But, it is to be received with joy because "the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Who doesn't need joy and strength? Life in a fallen world easily robs us of both. Reading, hearing, and studying God's word - individually and in groups - is the source of both joy and strength.
Need some incentive to get in to the word of God today? This is it: it is your source of joy and strength. On its pages your will encounter your Creator, through His Son, and find abundant joy and strength for the trials and challenges of life.
May His word be a delight to you today as you devote yourself to reading and studying it.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
posted by steve @ 8:12 AM
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