Sat.’s Devo - Reading the Word

Read: Nehemiah 7:73b-9:21; 1 Corinthians 9:1-18; Psalm 33:12-22; Proverbs 21:11-12 Nehemiah called the people of Israel to assemble on the first day of Tishri which was the Feast of Trumpets. In this case, Ezra was the trumpet. He brought out the Book of the Law and began reading it from early morning until noon. When he stood to open the book, all the people stood. Ezra led them in praise to the Lord and they bowed down to the ground in worship. The Levites, then went back over what they had heard and explained to them what it meant. The people wept as they realized how far from the Law they had been living. Nehemiah encouraged them to not weep but to rejoice and feast because the joy of the Lord was their strength. This was a day of celebration and community. On the second day, the family leaders met with the priests and Levites to discuss the coming feast of Tabernacles. It was two weeks from then and the people were to live in shelters for a week. These shelters were to be made from specific branches. They released the people to go and begin making their shelters and they would meet back on the first day of the feast. Ezra read from the book every day of the feast and on the eighth day it was a solemn assembly. On this day the people fasted and repented for their sins and the sins of their ancestors. They stood for three hours while the Book of the Law was read aloud. For three more hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the Lord. The leaders called out to the people to stand up and praise the Lord. They went back through their history of all God had done for them and confessed their lack of obedience and repented. In Corinthians, we have the answers to the questions the people wrote Paul, we just don’t have the questions. Apparently Paul was asked what made him think he had authority over them. They probably didn’t like some of his rebukes over their lifestyle and wanted to put Paul in his place. But he put them in theirs. They also thought that since he was in prison, he wasn’t worthy of them listening to him. The reason they had the good news at all was because of him. He had never asked them for money or pay but they owed their lives to him. The priests got paid from the Temple taxes and other missionaries that came to their city were paid but he had never asked for a cent and never gotten one from them. He did what he did because he was compelled by the Holy Spirit to do it. Lord, I think of your grace and forgiveness that you have given us freely that we did nothing to receive and I feel a little like the people in Corinth. Forgive me for taking lightly what you have done for me and all mankind. You have graciously had compassion and mercy on us. We do not deserve your mercy but open our hearts to receive it. Forgive us, your people and forgive our nation and bring Your healing.