Daily Worship

Orkney

August 20, 2013 0 0

Nehemiah 8

By the time the seventh month arrived, the People of Israel were settled in their towns. Then all the people gathered as one person in the town square in front of the Water Gate and asked the scholar Ezra to bring the Book of The Revelation of Moses that God had commanded for Israel.

So Ezra the priest brought The Revelation to the congregation, which was made up of both men and women—everyone capable of understanding. It was the first day of the seventh month. He read it facing the town square at the Water Gate from early dawn until noon in the hearing of the men and women, all who could understand it. And all the people listened—they were all ears—to the Book of The Revelation.

The scholar Ezra stood on a wooden platform constructed for the occasion. He was flanked on the right by Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, and on the left by Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

Ezra opened the book. Every eye was on him (he was standing on the raised platform) and as he opened the book everyone stood. Then Ezra praised God, the great God, and all the people responded, “Oh Yes! Yes!” with hands raised high. And then they fell to their knees in worship of God, their faces to the ground.

Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah, all Levites, explained The Revelation while people stood, listening respectfully. They translated the Book of The Revelation of God so the people could understand it and then explained the reading.

Nehemiah the governor, along with Ezra the priest and scholar and the Levites who were teaching the people, said to all the people, “This day is holy to God, your God. Don’t weep and carry on.” They said this because all the people were weeping as they heard the words of The Revelation.

Father I’m looking out across this island

I know that you have a special purpose in these remote places.

In the past your spirit has descended on whole communities

bringing revival, renewal and rejoicing.

Whole families being brought into your light in a matter of moments.

Homes, churches, police stations, byres and fields full of people

lying face down, repenting and turning over their lives to you.

People putting down their tools and fasting and praying for days.

Church gatherings which ministers could not bring to an end

because people so wanted to worship you and pray.

Lord I know this time is coming again.

Open our minds and hearts that we can hear your voice.

Give us the conviction to act on the visions, dreams and

words that you are placing in us.

Take our attention off the earthly stuff that distracts us.

Equip us in the fight against powers and principalities.

Prepare our hearts, minds and hands for your work.

Revival in this land, the Enemy falling.

Your perfect will imposed.

Amen

-

 

By Fiona – Orkney