Gatherings: Worship & the Word
Nehemiah 8 & 12
“When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet. Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, ‘Amen! Amen!’ as they lifted their hands toward heaven.” - Nehemiah 8:5-6
It has been a week since the wall was completed - finished in only 52 days. Families have moved into the city, bringing their servants and animals with them, and settled into their homes. And now, the men, women, and children gather together to hear Ezra the priest read from the Bible.
Ezra steps onto a platform so everyone can see him. When he opens the Bible, everyone stands. Some of the Levites (people who helped the priests) stand interspersed throughout the crowd, explaining the meaning of the passages Ezra was reading. And the Israelites respond to what they hear. Sometimes they lift their hands in praise. Other times, they bow to worship God with their faces to the ground. And sometimes, all they can do is weep.
The next day, many of these same people gather again to study the Bible more in-depth. And later on, everyone in their community worships together with music, singing and praising God so loudly that “the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away” (Nehemiah 12:43).
This time of corporate worship was vital for the Israelites, and it continues to be vital for us today. We gather every week to hear God’s Word, to worship God through music, and to fellowship with one another. We also study the Bible more in-depth, both on our own and in small groups.
As we continue to seek God’s will for our church and community, we must not forget to keep gathering together to worship Him. This week, pray for our time together during worship services and for our small groups. How does God want us to use this time?
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