Is God’s word alive & active in your life? 

I’m reading the book of Nehemiah right now.  After reading chapter 8 I couldn’t stop thinking, this is exactly what the word is supposed to do to our lives.  If you haven’t read it I encourage you to go do so but I’m going to sum it up for you.

Nehemiah knew after going to Jerusalem there were more than just broken walls but broken people, like us. In Chapter 8 Ezra stood before the people to read the Book of Law to them.  It says in verse 5-6, “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.  Then they bowed down and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. ” 

This tells me they knew the importance of the word. They respected it and praise God for it.  

Verses 8-9 say, “They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage. Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, Don’t weep on such a day as this!”

After reading, hearing and understanding the word they were weeping.  As we understand the word more it exposes our sin. They were repenting and Ezra told them to celebrate. In verse 12 it says, “So the people went away to eat and drink at a festival meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them.” 

This short book is such a great example of how the word can be effective in our lives. The people knew the importance of the word, praised God for it, repented and in turn were changed because of it. They went away celebrating! That’s the power in the word, changed lives! 

I encourage you to get into the word, pray as your reading that God would open your mind to understand the scripture and it will begin to come alive to you! His scripture promises it. 
For the word of God is alive and active. Hebrews 4:12 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *