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CENTRALITY OF GOD’S WORD IN SERVICE (II)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4
Nehemiah 8:1-8

Romans 10:14-17

 

“…faith cometh by hearing,

and hearing by the word of God.”

 

CENTRALITY OF GOD’S WORD IN SERVICE (II)
 
The preparation of the people for continued service to their God was not done without their participation. Nehemiah 8 presents to us the centrality of God’s Word in the people’s lives, and the events of the day. These were events that happened in accordance with God’s Word as was given to Moses. Also presented to us is a picture of the kind of people who would serve God both successfully and acceptably. Their participation and their attitudes as the events of the day unfolded cannot be ignored.
 
And the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law (Neh 8:3). The reading and exposition of God’s Word from the law of Moses was met with the attentive ears and hearts of a people who had desired the Word to be read to them. And as the Word of the LORD was opened before them for the reading, the people responded with reverence which they showed by standing up (Neh 8:5). The people were gathered “before the water gate from the morning until midday” (Neh 8:3). By this, they showed their commitment, both in setting apart the better part of the day for holy worship and fellowship, and by their patient continuance in attending to the reading of the Word. In churches today, both reverence and commitment to the reading and preaching of God’s Word are evidently lacking as witnessed by either the short sessions of Bible reading, or in some cases the total absence of Scripture reading. Indeed, we live in times when men “will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears” (2 Tim 4:3). Today, we gather together under better physical conditions, in well-furnished churches. Yet, we have shorter services. And still many would leave at the end of the church service either like prisoners released from prison, glad that it is over, or like disgruntled and unsatisfied customers shortchanged of their time, murmuring how long the service was, or how long-winded the preacher was, or how long the responsive or congregational reading of Scripture was. The places many rush to after worship in church make matters worse. No wonder we fill churches but do not reflect Christ outside church.
 
THOUGHT: Efficacy of the Word read is enhanced by receptive hearts.

PRAYER: Father, draw me to my church with reverence and commitment.

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