Day 130

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Ezra and Nehemiah Exhort the People to Rejoice!

Scripture

May 9—Nehemiah 8-10: Revival in the Rebuilt City

Observation

Once again Ezra the priest becomes the focus of attention as he steps to the podium to read the law of God before the people. A company of men assist Ezra in translating and interpreting the Bible for all the people; resulting in conviction of sin, weeping, and repentance throughout the nation. Ezra and Nehemiah exhort the people to rejoice, not mourn, for this is a time of triumph. They lead the people in celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles, which culminates in one of the most noteworthy prayers in the Bible, a covenant declaration in which the people agree to obey God (10:29), avoid foreign marriages (10:30), observe the Sabbath (10:31), and support the worship of God in the temple (10:32-39). At last, reform has come!

Application

Click to go to Psalm 146, and read the first line out loud. Do the same for Psalms 147, 148, and 150. Then in ten words or less, define what the psalmist is telling you to do.

In chapter 9 of Nehemiah, the Israelites provide a good example of what praising God is all about. In their prayer the nation's leaders extol the God of heaven by remembering aloud some of his wonderful acts in the past: He brought forth all creation from nothing; he chose Abraham to be the instrument of blessing to all nations; he brought his people by a Pillar of cloud. In short, the Israelites praised God by repeating his wonderful provisions in the past.

Take a lesson from their example. Praise God by recounting some of his marvelous acts in your own personal history. See if you can complete this sentence ten different ways: "You are exalted, O God, because in my life you have...."

Prayer

You are the only one held high and mighty; the only one with all power in your hands and we must not take for granted all you do for us. O Lord, we are grateful for your love, guidance and protection. You are the joy of our strength and we thank you so much. In Jesus name, amen!







© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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