Scripture:
Nehemiah
8:1-12, "All the people came together as one in the square before the
Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the
Law of Moses, which the Lord had
commanded for Israel. So on the first day of the
seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was
made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. He
read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water
Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all
the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. Ezra
the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion.
Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and
Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum,
Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam. 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. The Levites—Jeshua, Bani,
Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah,
Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people
were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear
and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read. 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. Nehemiah
said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who
have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy
of the Lord is your strength.” The Levites calmed all the people,
saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.” 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" (NIV).
And this quote:
"The real 'work' of prayer is to become silent and
listen to the voice that says good things about me... To gently push aside and
silence the many voices that question my goodness and to trust that I will hear
the voice of blessing that demands real effort" -Henri Nouwen
Now, go be the church...
L.
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