Scripture: Nehemiah 8:13-15
Then
on the second day the heads of fathers' households of all the people,
the priests and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe that they might
gain insight into the words of the law. They found written in the
law how the LORD had commanded through Moses that the sons of Israel should
live in booths during the feast of the seventh month. So they
proclaimed and circulated a proclamation in all their cities and in Jerusalem,
saying, "Go out to the hills, and bring olive branches and wild olive
branches, myrtle branches, palm branches and branches of other leafy
trees, to make booths, as it is written."
Insights: These
people came to Ezra because they were pursuing insight into the things of
God. Their attitudes were absolutely
perfect and open to whatever the Lord told them. God told them to make booths, modern day
lean-to tents, and live in them for a week.
Tomorrow we are going to learn that they actually did live in these
branch booths. Why were these people
willing to leave the comfort of their own homes to live in a booth for a
week? The answer is because they desired
to gain insight from God and that comes through obedience to Him. There is a singular ingredient that made this
amazing story come to pass. That
ingredient is attitude. In other words,
these men came to God with the right attitude.
They expected Him to show up and teach them. The same principle is true today in our
worship services. Some people come to
church and get absolutely nothing out of the service, whereas, others come to
church and can’t seem to get enough of it.
What is the difference?
Attitude. Those in the latter
group come to church with a teachable spirit.
They are open to the Father meeting with them. The insight is available to both groups, but
for the former group, they must have a heart change before anything can truly
happen. Beloved, if we come to worship
and think we know everything or believe that preacher has nothing to say, then
guess what? We are going to get that
exact result from our worship encounter with God. We are going to get nothing. If, however, we come expecting God to reveal
Himself to us in the worship service, then guess what? We are going to get that exact result from
our worship encounter with God. We are
going to meet with Him and be blown away.
Beloved, pursue insight with the right attitude and stand back and watch
what God is going to do.
Questions:
- Do you attend worship services with an attitude of
expectation?
- Are you open to the Lord doing the ridiculous in your
life?
Prayer: Father, I
desire for You to be glorified no matter what.
So, please give me and expectant heart and the courage to obey You even
when Your command seems odd to the world around me. Amen.
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