A Chapter A Day Keeps the Devil Away

Meditation from Nehemiah Chapter 8

The people asked for Ezra to read from the book of the Law, the word of God (8:1). It shows their love and priority to God's word.
This chapter teaches us four responses to God's word.

1. Attention : When the word of God was being presented they were attentive to it. (8:3)

At the railway station we become attentive to every announcement because we don't want to miss the train. When something is of utter importance to us we give attention.

How attentive are we to God's word?

2. Apprehend (Understand) : They not only heard the Word, but understood it. The word was "interpreted", to "make sense" and to give "understanding". (8:8)

There are so many tools available today which can help us to understand the Bible - Study Bible, Chronological Bible, Commentary, Bible Lexicon, Bible Atlas, etc.

Useful Apps

My Sword Bible (Study Bibles, Commentaries, etc) - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.riversoft.android.mysword

You Version Bible (Easy to take notes & to read various versions) - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sirma.mobile.bible.android

3. Weep : Hearing the word of God people wept so much that Nehemiah and leaders had to calm the people. They told them to rejoice. (8:9)

When we study the word there can be both the responses - we may rejoice at the promises & encouragement and weep at the exhortation.

When was the last time we cried reading the Bible?

The word of God is powerful to speak into our lives. We need to engage with it in a way that we allow God's word to speak to us.

4. Apply : The people immediately applied the listened word of God.
"And they found written..." (8:14)
"So the people..." (8:16)

If we don't apply what we read or study from the Word, it is of no use.

Ezra was called to teach the word of God. The book of Ezra shows us what kind of a person he was.

"Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach the statutes..." (Ezra 7:10)
Study
Do
Teach
What an incredible order!

Let the Word of God be our priority that our life may be fruitful and pleasing to God!

A saying goes, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away". Let me say,

"A (Bible) Chapter a day keeps the Devil away". You can also add 'distraction, temptation, lethargy, discouragement, wickedness... away".

Commit yourself now to study and meditate at least one chapter everyday for the rest of your life; will you?

Have a blessed day!