God Wants Me to Be Joyful
Rejoicing in God's word
Nehemiah 8:1-6
Read the Bible through:
AM - 1 Chronicles 11-12 : PM - John 6:1-15
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 (Neh. 8:5).
Nehemiah 8:1-6
Read the Bible through:
AM - 1 Chronicles 11-12 : PM - John 6:1-15
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 (Neh. 8:5).
Revivals are popular among the modern Southern Baptist Churches. Recently I was invited to be the guest evangelist at a rural Baptist Church in Tennessee. I was asked to preach for several consecutive evening services marked by excitement and renewal among the congregation. Church members encouraged friends to attend and lost folk were given the opportunity to respond to the gospel.
The necessity of revival stems from our natural tendency to be lulled into complacency by our routines. Our marriages, careers, and everyday activities tend to become stale and meaningless unless we experience the joy of periodic revival. We need to gain a fresh perspective on why we do what we do instead of simply going through the motions.
When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, he found the city and its inhabitants in dire need of restoration. The citizens gathered to hear Ezra the scribe read God's Word. They revered God's Word and rejoiced in it.
Father, give me a fresh understanding of Your word today.
