Wednesday 22 Oct 2014

October 22: Nehemiah 8:1-6

Key Verse: Nehemiah 8:2
So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month.

Devotion:
Nehemiah made a point of getting the people together so that they could hear the law as written down by Moses. He made sure that there were people gathered together who would be able to understand the law and to take it in. He made sure that there was not just one person standing up alone but the priest Ezra and 13 others standing as witnesses. We could stand up and tell people exactly what it says in the bible, but it often takes a bit more to convince some people that you are actually reading the truth. Sometimes we do have to have someone or some others with us to re-enforce the idea that this is the truth.

It is not as if God cannot work miracles in their hearts, but sometimes people are so caught up in the world that they persistently trash the word of God just because they have never been in a group of loving and supportive Christians. We need to stand up together and support each other as we go forward and tell people about God. God allowed Aaron to go with Moses in the beginning because Moses was complaining about his lack of clear speech. When God senses we have some sort of lack of confidence, He will make sure that we have the support of others around us to help us explain His word to people.

I absolutely love the fact that I have people around me who are willing to support each other in God’s word. I love being able to be part of our church as we bring the Gospel message forward to people. I love being able to introduce young people to the amazing stories from the bible. I love being able to stand up and bring God’s word to a discerning audience. But all of this does take time for some of us. I know it took me a long time before I had confidence to get up and talk about God.

If you start by talking to people who want to hear the Gospel, you will feel just how wonderful it is to serve God through teaching. If you are brave enough to take a step further and teach people who don’t really care then you will feel the urgency of this work we have to do. When you know just how important it is to reach and teach others, God will give you the support you need to get it done!

Points to Ponder:
Are you scared of public speaking?

Will you try telling friends about God?