Now That’s a Long Sermon…

We’re going to stick with the prophet and preacher, Ezra, for today’s post. Ezra returned to Jerusalem and helped Nehemiah and others to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. When Nehemiah returned to rebuild the wall, something else was “built” in the people. A desire to follow and obey the word of God was also built. In chapter 8 of Nehemiah we read this: 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. Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. Ezra preached from morning until mid-day. The people stood and listened to Ezra read the words of God. And then they repented of their sin and followed God.

This is why I continually stress reading the Bible. I just don’t have anything more powerful to offer you to help you in your daily life. The greatest sermons and bible lessons are quickly forgotten by the vast majority of people. But a daily diet of reading the word of God and prayer is what makes a lasting difference. Will you read God’s word each day? Will you give Him some of your time each day to reflect and think about His activity in your life? A good sermon or a good video or a good movie can inspire us, but nothing works for the long term like the plain old word of God. Of course, a long sermon won’t hurt either…

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