May 22 - Attentive Unto The Book.

Nehemiah 8:3
“And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.”
 
The street was flooded with people as far at the eye could see.
They all came with one purpose, all with the same request.
 
The people requested that the Book of the Law of Moses be brought by Ezra so he could read to them.
 
Nehemiah 8:5-6
“And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.”
 
What attention and reverence they had for the Book! 
 
Though the Words of the Law made them mourn and weep, Ezra encouraged them to not allow their sorrow to overcome their joy.
 
Nehemiah 8:10
“Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
 
Our joy and strength are dependent upon our attention to the Word of the Lord.
 
Consider today those people all across the world that do not have a copy of the Scriptures. While most of us have multiple full copies sitting on the shelves within our homes, there are people who would give anything they had to even have a partial. 
 
The children of Israel flooded the street that day thirsty to hear the Word, and yet sometimes we regulate the Bible to just another app on our smart phones.
 
May we renew our attentiveness to the Book each and every day.
 
Romans 12:2
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
 
 
Bible Reading:
2 Samuel 7-8   |    1 Corinthians 10