Nehemiah 9:1-5 SINCERITY FINALLY When God's people come together and enjoy fellowship, praise and worship together, it is possible to catch a momentary spiritual high that fades when we leave and go back to normal daily living. The Israelis who had gathered for celebration at the finishing of the wall had listened to the word of God read, had been convicted by the reading and bowed down before God in humility and weeping. They had spent a week in joyful celebration of some of the Feasts of Jehovah and in unified fellowship. The nation seemed to be on the road to recovery.
There is great benefit to the Lord's people when we gather together in fellowship for spiritual refreshment and learning from the reading and expounding of the scriptures. But then there comes an awareness of what we have heard and the fact that it calls for a response from me personally. I have heard God's word explained in context and the interpretation has been given as well as some applications. Now what am I going to do with this knowledge? What effect am I expecting and what changes am I willing to make? We haven't really learned anything unless there is evidence of application of truth in my own life. True learning has a real significant effect on my mind, my will, my emotions and my life.
The effect of the events earlier in the month, and the reading of the scriptures continued, and the people gathered again to hear the word of God. But this time on the twenty fourth of the month, they came with a different attitude. There was sackcloth and dirt deliberately put on them. There had been fasting, separations made and confession of sin. Reality was evident as a result of what they had been considering over the past days since the big celebration. Reading of the scriptures has an awakening effect on the sincere person who is conscious of God and has been finally willing to listen to His word. A conscious awareness of God who gives us the big picture in His word of our past present and future, and our place and responsibility to Him in our time, changes us. Understanding of truth is not some casual "Yes," but gives us the whole perspective of what it means to be a child of God and how we fit in the great unfolding of divine purposes.
Heart-felt response to truth produces true and lasting change in the people of God. Our faith is not some casual acceptance of what we have been taught. It is personal trust being placed without reservation in our God and His word that unfolds His will for us. "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." There comes a knowledge of what it means to be in the long line of faith and those who love the Lord. Like those in Nehemiah's day, we stand and identify ourselves with people of faith, and wait to hear what God our Lord will say to us from His word. Our separation is not a temporary action, and our confession is real. Our worship is in spirit and in truth, and our confidence is in our Lord, not ourselves. The effect of the reading of the scripture is understanding. The response to the truth is change. The joy of obedience is restored fellowship.
Reading the word of God and confession of sin often go together. There are things that happen in our lives that we may not consider all that important until we read and heed the scripture. "Abstain from all appearance of evil," means just that. Anything that indicates an activity is questionable is wrong. Sincerity of God's people and humility, leads to confession and separation from anything that defiles. The desire of those who are in fellowship with God is to worship Him. It is consistent with our new nature to want to honor our Lord and see Him honored publicly. That's why we do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. When there is repentance and restoration of God's people, and an awakening to the importance and reality of God's plans, then we pray together and in private as intercessors for those around us. We also conduct ourselves in a way that shows the sincerity we have towards God, and the genuine interest we have towards the spiritual well-being of those around us.
Those who lead God people in prayer need to be conscious of the fact they speak on behalf of the whole congregation. They need to be able to "Lift up holy hands without wrath or doubting." They need to be able to pray in sincerity and honesty. An understanding of scripture enables us to know God's will in our requests are consistent with that will. Public prayers of appreciation of God, adoration, praise and thanksgiving by those who are mature in the faith, will often open thoughts in those men who have less or little experience in public praying to participate to the degree of their spiritual experience. The reading of the word of God opens us to sincerity in prayer, adoration, thanksgiving, intercession and worship.