HEAR, UNDERSTAND AND OBEY GOD’S WORD!

HEAR, UNDERSTAND AND OBEY GOD’S WORD!

And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. 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 their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them. —Nehemiah 8:5-12

            God’s Word was opened in the sight of the people.   The people worshipped the Lord.   God’s leaders read the Word was read clearly. God’s leaders taught and helped the people understand the Word of God. The people mourned and wept as they heard the Word of God.   The leaders told them not to morn and weep, but to rejoice, celebrate and help others in need. The joy of the Lord is their strength. The people understood the Word of God that was declared to them.

            Wow… the leaders and people at that time were hearing and understanding the Word of God. This is exactly what we need to be doing today— hear what God is saying, understand what God is saying and then do what God is saying.  

            What is God saying to you? Do you understand what He is saying? Will you do what He is saying to you? We may hear and understand, but that will be of no value unless we obey what He says to us.   This has been an enormous problem through the ages— people hear, people understand, but people do not obey.   Listen to what Jesus said—

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” —Matthew 7:46-49

            The wise man HEARS AND PUTS HIS WORDS INTO PRACTICE. The foolish man HEARS AND DOES NOT PUT HIS WORDS INTO PRACTICE. What kind man are you and I?

Dear Father may I be a wise man that puts Your Word into practice— your obedient servant. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.   So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZvhNAMBxns