LUPANG HINIRANG: Spiritual Renewal

“Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground”
Nehemiah 8:5-6.

When the Israelites finished rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, all 50,000 of them gathered together at the town square wanting to hear God’s word. It will be their first time since their exile of over a hundred years. During those times, there were no printing presses that the word of God was read publicly for people to hear.

The bible is the accurate measurement of who we are as Christians. It is more important to understand the word of God more than just reading it.

“Those who listen to the word but do not do what it says are like people who look at their faces in a mirror and after looking at themselves, go away and immediately forget what they look like” James 1:23-24.

We build families, cities and nations through the word of God. Only when we read the word of God that our lives are changed and we can change the nation.

GOD’S WORD BRINGS SPIRITUAL RENEWAL.

READ IT.
The people of Israel prioritized the word of God. After they have settled into their towns, they asked Ezra to read the book of the law aloud. Ezra read it from daybreak till noon (Nehemiah 8: 3) atop a wooden platform that signifies the supremacy of the word of God in their lives.

“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is the shield for all who take refuge in him” Psalm 18:30.

God’s word is supreme over our marriages, finances, relationships and in every area of our lives.

UNDERSTAND THE WORD.

“Then, Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, ‘this day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them”
Nehemiah 8:9; 12.

We need to understand the word for it to penetrate our lives. Sometimes, we tend to get too familiar with the word of God that we take it for granted. The word of God and His Presence brings fullness of joy.

“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand”
Psalm 16:11.

APPLY THE WORD.

“Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, ‘Amen! Amen!’ Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground”
Nehemiah 8:6.

“Amen” means “so be it” or “let it be applied in my life.” Lives change when the word of God is applied. Strong families make up strong cities. Strong cities build a strong nation.

“For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us”
Isaiah 33:22.

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”
John 8:31.

Let us not take for granted and be good stewards of the freedom that we have.**