Overflowing Joy: Living in the Abundance of God’s Love

THURSDAY, 3 APRIL 2025

 

TEXT: NEHEMIAH 8:13-18

 

13: On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the teacher to give attention to the words of the Law.

 

14: They found written in the Law, which the Lord had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to live in temporary shelters during the festival of the seventh month

 

15: and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: “Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make temporary shelters”—as it is written.

 

16: So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves temporary shelters on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim.

 

17: The whole company that had returned from exile built temporary shelters and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great.

 

18: Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated the festival for seven days, and on the eighth day, in accordance with the regulation, there was an assembly.

 

(New International Version Holy Bible)

 

TOPIC: OBEYING GOD'S WORD

 

It is said that a person who is educated is that person who is able to put into practice what he or she has learnt.

 

The Israelites demonstrated that they had learnt from God's word which was read to them after experiencing a drought of God's word.

 

As they heard God's word, they took another step by studying and acting positively upon it. This shows that the cognitive domain was affected positively and they rejoiced for reading God's word in obedience.

 

The excitement of reading God's word propelled the Israelites to read it day after day without any discouragement or shame as some of us do today.

 

Through His word, God reminded them of their past experiences in Egypt and the wilderness (Leviticus 23:43) in order for them to further appreciate God's mercies in their lives.

 

QUESTION: What significant change has reading God's word made in your life?

 

PRAYER: O Lord, You know all about me, help ne to appreciate Your word as I walk in obedience of Your instructions daily, in Jesus' name. Amen. 

Remain Blessed     

ECWA Food For The Day, 2025.