THE WORD OF THE LORD

Today's reading: Nehemiah 5-9

"Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, Amen! Amen! as they lifted their hands toward heaven. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground." Nehemiah 8:6 NLT

Had Ezra just presented a soul stirring sermon? Had the choir just sang a highly emotional hymn? Had the glory of God settled on those gathered like a cloud?

No. No. No.

What had occurred prior to the people falling down in praise was this...

Ezra opened the Bible. The scroll of law, to be exact, as all the Bible as we know it was yet to be written, compiled, printed.

Just at the sight of God's Holy Word being opened before them!

At the very thought of a message from the Lord being delivered to them!

In anticipation of all that God had to say to them!

It shames me to think of how flippant I am to open the cover of my Bible for my morning reading. Or how very much for granted I take my pastor standing before our congregation with God's Word open on the pulpit and speaking its words over me. Or how arrogant I am to believe it's me reading the Word, not Him revealing it to me.

It's given me a different perspective on this valued, honored, timeless and powerful Book I have on my lap.