A Healthy Reverance by Lisa Burkhardt Worley, D.Min.

How do you respond to God’s Word?

I’ve been studying in the book of Nehemiah, and I am at the point where the wall around Jerusalem has been completed. The Israelites have gathered together for a reading of the Torah, the first five books of the Bible. Their reaction to hearing the Word of God is intense. They bow down and worship with their faces to the ground, and they weep. Can you imagine the scene?

Two things are at play here. The Jewish people have just emerged from a great trial as they built the wall. There was so much opposition from others that they had to carry a sword in one hand while they built the wall with the other. They did not stop for 52 straight days in order to get it done. The reading of the Word represents relief and most likely, an awareness of how the LORD God had protected them and enabled them to complete this massive project.

I began to think about all of the trials that the LORD God had brought me through. I remembered the projects that I’ve completed, hopefully for His glory. It’s countless, and enough to throw me to my knees in Thanksgiving. 

The completion of the wall was a huge victory for Nehemiah and the Jewish people, and they knew it. Take a moment to reflect on the many trials God has brought you through. How are you responding?

Ezra and the leaders comforted the people in their sadness. They told them this was a time, not for mourning, but for joy and celebration. In Nehemiah 8:10, they said: “Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

I believe it is good to have a healthy reverence for the hand of God in our lives, but there should also be celebration for His miraculous intervention. Today, I say thank you to my Heavenly Father for His direction, blessings, and healing in my life. What about you? How will you thank Him today? How will you celebrate His loving care for you?

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Do you live in our near the Austin area? Do you need a day of spiritual refreshing? Then you will want to join us for our Level-Up Austin event on April 25th from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Wells Branch Community Church. Register today at: https://levelupconferenceaustin.eventbrite.com.