JULY 11 - EZRA READS THE LAW
READ Nehemiah 8
The people gather at the square to hear Ezra, who reads the Law publicly.
INSIGHT
No one appreciates a glass of water like a person who is truly thirsty. It takes deprivation to appreciate the significance of our blessings. That is why the Christian life is not always easy—with blessings flowing unabated. We get dull and stale to it—just as we do when we have too much food and too little exercise. We are indeed blessed to have the Word of God in such abundance. The returning Jews have never heard the Word, and they are truly thirsty. They stand — from dawn till dusk — and drink it in. To appreciate the Word in your life, imagine not having it at all.
PRAYER
Give the Lord your praise, because He knows us and loves us and will never leave or forsake us:
You who love the Lord, hate evil!
He protects the lives of his faithful ones;
He rescues them from the power of the wicked.
Light dawns for the righteous,
Gladness for the upright in heart.
Be glad in the Lord, you righteous ones,
And give thanks to his holy name
(Psalm 97:10-12).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving. As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
Seek the Lord while he may be found;
Call to him while he is near.
Let the wicked one abandon his way
And the sinful one his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
So he may have compassion on him,
And to our God, for he will freely forgive
(Isaiah 55:6-7).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
But as it is written,
What no eye has seen, no ear has heard,
And no human heart has conceived —
God has prepared these things for those who love him
(1 Corinthians 2:9).
The Lord encourages us to come to Him with our concerns and desires. As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now may the God of hope
Fill you with all joy and peace
As you believe so that you may overflow
With hope by the power of the Holy Spirit
(Romans 15:13).
The people gather at the square to hear Ezra, who reads the Law publicly.
INSIGHT
No one appreciates a glass of water like a person who is truly thirsty. It takes deprivation to appreciate the significance of our blessings. That is why the Christian life is not always easy—with blessings flowing unabated. We get dull and stale to it—just as we do when we have too much food and too little exercise. We are indeed blessed to have the Word of God in such abundance. The returning Jews have never heard the Word, and they are truly thirsty. They stand — from dawn till dusk — and drink it in. To appreciate the Word in your life, imagine not having it at all.
PRAYER
Give the Lord your praise, because He knows us and loves us and will never leave or forsake us:
You who love the Lord, hate evil!
He protects the lives of his faithful ones;
He rescues them from the power of the wicked.
Light dawns for the righteous,
Gladness for the upright in heart.
Be glad in the Lord, you righteous ones,
And give thanks to his holy name
(Psalm 97:10-12).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving. As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
Seek the Lord while he may be found;
Call to him while he is near.
Let the wicked one abandon his way
And the sinful one his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
So he may have compassion on him,
And to our God, for he will freely forgive
(Isaiah 55:6-7).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
But as it is written,
What no eye has seen, no ear has heard,
And no human heart has conceived —
God has prepared these things for those who love him
(1 Corinthians 2:9).
The Lord encourages us to come to Him with our concerns and desires. As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
- The renewing of your mind
- The needs of your extended family
- Your activities for the day
- Whatever else is on your heart
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now may the God of hope
Fill you with all joy and peace
As you believe so that you may overflow
With hope by the power of the Holy Spirit
(Romans 15:13).
A Dogwood Church Discipleship Ministry Resource. © Walk Thru the Bible 2023.