From Morning to Noon

Nehemiah 8:1-10

What do you think of when you think about church? What thoughts or words come to mind?
I think of: Sunday. Gathering with other believers. Fellowship. The Bible. Worship. Being taught from the Word. Growing in my faith. Being in God's house. Experiencing Him.
There are more than 200 denominations within Christianity. Every church has a different culture, different style, different appeal. But while there is a wide array of things that make each church different, every Bible-teaching house of God has certain things in common.
1. The people gather
2. They are taught from the Bible
3. They respond

Nehemiah 8:1-10 gives us a beautiful illustration of believers gathering together to hear the Word of God. It sounds much like a church gathering of today.

The People Gather
Nehemiah 8:1 says, "Then all the people gathered together as one man...".
What unity, that when we gather together as believers, God sees us as one! It reminds me of 
1 Corinthians 12, which talks about how we are many parts, but all members of one body.

They Are Taught From the Bible
"And Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of both men and women and all who could hear with understanding...He read from it, from early morning until noon...and all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law." (Excerpts from Nehemiah 8:2-3)
- Attentive from early morning until noon? That doesn't sound like the modern American church!

They Respond
"And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, lifting up their hands; and they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with faces to the ground." Nehemiah 8:6

"And Nehemiah...said to all of them, This day is holy to the Lord your God; mourn not nor weep. For all the people wept when they heard the words of the Law." Nehemiah 8:9

"Ezra told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold." Nehemiah 8:10


Father, You find such joy in seeing Your children gather together to worship You. We are so blessed to live in a country where we can freely and fearlessly unite. Where we can hear Your Word, and learn Your truths. Where we can sing praises to You, and respond with willing hearts and lives of servitude. May we never take that for granted. You are the God of the Bible that we read about. You are all powerful, and almighty. You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. May our eyes be fixed on You, and may we thirst for You. Father, please forgive us for the times that church felt more like a chore than a privilege. Give us eyes to see Your spender, give us ears to hear Your truths. Fill us with you, Lord. Only You.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.