The Process of Scripture | Nehemiah 8:13-18

On the second day the heads of fathers' houses of all the people, with the priests and the Levites, came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the Law. And they found it written in the Law that the Lord had commanded by Moses that the people of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, and that they should proclaim it and publish it in all their towns and in Jerusalem, “Go out to the hills and bring branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, as it is written.” So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim. And all the assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths, for from the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not done so. And there was very great rejoicing. And day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. They kept the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the rule. — Nehemiah 8:13-18 CALL OUT: To Lester Smith, a listener from Jonesville, MI. He works with a ministry called Return of the Apostles. This brother has memorized more than 1,000 verses of Scripture, including a dozen New Testament books, the Sermon on the Mount, and the first five chapters of Revelation. Thanks for your support, and I pray this blesses you today. You will love this one as it directly applies to your ministry. Notice the attractional power of the Word of God. The next day, a few were so intrigued they had to know more about what Ezra read. So they studied the Word more deeply. They were attracted to it, like a moth to a flame, irresistibly drawn in. Most of you who join me daily have this same attraction to Scripture. You are drawn in. You want to know more. You long to understand. And once you experience a small enlightenment by Scripture, you want more and more. This is because Scripture is an endless source of knowledge. But just because we are drawn to the knowledge contained in God's Word, we don't read it merely for its knowledge. Knowledge of the Word must lead to a life changed by the Word. We read the Word for information and transformation in our lives. Thus, in this text, we see a simple threefold process: First, the people of God heard the Word. Second, they studied the Word. Third, they responded to the Word. All three result in a complete effect of God's Word on the people's lives. And we should do the same. We should never shortchange the process by: Dodging Scriptures that are difficult to hear. Ducking the drive to dig deeper into Scripture. Settling for knowledge about Scripture without being changed by Scripture. That is why every single day, I tell you hard things from Scripture, drive you deeper into the Scripture, and give you some action to take based on Scripture. And my hope is that you will do something about this quickly every day so that you experience the effect of God and his Word on your life. If you act and feel the change, it's a process that will result in you growing closer to God and his people and result in great rejoicing, just like these people experienced here. #WordOfGod, #BibleStudy, #FaithJourney, #TransformedByScripture, #SpiritualGrowth, #ScriptureReflection, #DailyDevotion, #Nehemiah8, #GodsWordTransforms, #BiblicalWisdom ASK THIS: How has the Word of God attracted you and drawn you in, leading you to seek a deeper understanding of Scripture in your own life? Share a personal experience. In the threefold process mentioned in the devotional (hearing, studying, responding to the Word), which aspect do you find most challenging or rewarding in your spiritual journey? Discuss and share with your group members. DO THIS: Hear, study, and respond to God's Word today. PRAY THIS: Lord, I thank you for the attractional power of your Word that draws me in and ignites my desire to know you more deeply. Help me not only to seek knowledge but also to be transformed by your Word, responding to it with a heart full of faith and obedience. Amen. PLAY THIS: Show Us Christ. Check out other all Vince Miller's videos and audios for small groups at: https://beresolute.org/ Get Vince's most widely read resources The Daily Devotional at: https://beresolute.org/mdd Check out more ALL IN products like the one Vince is wearing at: https://beresolute.org/product-category/all-in-hats/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Vince socially: FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/millervince INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/vinceleemiller LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincemiller TWITTER: https://twitter.com/vinceleemiller