Rise Up and Be Strong

Sermon recap time is upon us.  Although I am enjoying my break from daily writing, I must admit that I know that this platform is definitely a part of God’s plan for my life.  The time away is showing me just how special this opportunity is.  Enough of the mushy stuff.  Pastor continued our study of the book of Nehemiah.  When we last left, the wall was completed but the inside of the city was in shambles.  With some elbow grease and perseverance, the city was restored.  This week left us with great tips on how to build our strength after we have finished the wall and worked on our insides.

When chapter 8 of Nehemiah begins, we find all the people gathered together in the square before the Water Gate.  Before Nehemiah had come to the city, Ezra had been preaching in Jerusalem for fourteen years.  It was only right Nehemiah would step aside and let Ezra continue his work.  And the people were craving God’s word.  They requested that Ezra read to them from the Law of Moses.  The word was the only thing that could satisfy their appetite.  What are you craving?  Our appetites are a sure indicator of our spiritual maturity.  We cannot increase our strength if we only take in junk food.  I’ll be honest.  I enjoy some good reality television or being swept away by a favorite scripted series but those do not really give me the essential nutrients that I need to grow.  We should start adjusting our diets and ingest more word.

Not only did the people request the word of God, but they also responded to it.  This was not a service where they half heartedly listened to God’s word while scrolling through their Instagram timeline.  No.  The people stood and listened intently as the word was read.  They stood to bear witness to God’s hand on their lives.  And they did it all morning.  Yikes!  When we all attended church in the building, I would get a little antsy if the scripture reading for the sermon went on a little longer than I had anticipated.  My feet would start shuffling, and my mind would wander.  Certainly, the goal in our life is not perfection, but I am reminded that my response to God’s word is important.  Real strength is created when I make changes in response to the word that I have heard.

While listening to the word, the people began to weep.  For some that may seem strange, but I understand it all too well.  When you really listen to God’s word, you begin to understand how undone you are.  How unworthy.  Sometimes just straight up low down.  And yet a holy God decided to love us anyway.  In spite of our mess.  Many sermons have gotten right to the core of where I am.  They have caused me to reflect on my mistakes.  Instead of allowing the people to wallow in their past, Nehemiah encourages them to rejoice.  This day is a holy day to the Lord.  And the joy of the Lord is the strength for the children of Jerusalem and for us.

The wall is completed.  The insides are restored.  But we still need strength.  We would be foolish to walk away from the source of every ounce of strength that we possess.  The water gate is flowing with truth, and it is our responsibility to request, respond, and rejoice in the truth of God’s word.  Let’s renew our strength.  #wepreach

Quick Questions:

• Do you have a desire to study the Bible outside of church services?
• Would you be willing to commit to 2 minutes of reading the Bible each day for the next week?