I Give You My Word

Nehemiah‬ ‭8:1-2,5-6,8-10 - Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded Israel. 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.

And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

The words, The joy of the Lord is my strength, popped into my head this morning. And I went to that passage to read. When was the last time God's Word caused you to weep? There are days when I weep at the Word the Lord has given us. Tears of joy, sorrow, comfort, anger, frustration...all emotions. Our HEARTS should be rejoicing in His Word...and bowing before this awesome God. His Word is life and truth. Sometimes I wish there was a way to explain how my heart feels like bursting! Is the joy of the Lord your strength

I'm thankful for a God who cares so much that He has given us His Word as a guide. Sometimes people will say, I give you my word, as a (sometimes loosely spoken) promise. God is not slack regarding His
promises, though (2Peter 3:9). All those promises written are for us to hang on to because this God will not change His mind. They were written, they stand, they will happen. Hmmm, He was, and is, and is to come! 

Oh, some are good promises. The free gift of salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ, is one. Another, however, is a day when He returns to judge the world and especially those who did not receive His free gift. That judgment upon unbelievers brings eternal death and separation from Him. That's a promise also. 

You can't separate God from His Word. It is Him. Not only did He give us this written Word, He gave us His Word, His only Son, in the flesh! Proof of His Word. His Word which was, and is, alive. 

I'm thankful for a church which takes the time to read from the Book, just the Book...and allows for discussion, meaning, understanding. I've wept in Sunday school and in church, too.

It's true. The joy of the Lord is my strength. How else can I explain why I do not fear death or the things happening in the world? In our weakness He is made strong. I trust that to be the case should something arise, which I'm sure it will. Trust in Him, rejoice in Him during the trouble. Just what He says we should do. Imagine doing the absolute opposite of what we would normally be inclined to do. It might take a reminder. 

I pray this strength never wanes for anything that might come in a more personal way. Often in dire circumstances is when our faith is truly tested. Lord, let that faith never fail but let it be strengthened all the more. Your Word is true and just. Don't let me fail to remember, Lord. Help me to recognize Your voice reminding me! 

God has given us His Word, both in writing and in the flesh. Let's earnestly trust that Word. It's the only thing we can hang our hats on! Don't understand the Word? He can help through the power of His Holy Spirit. It takes commitment.

If you have never made a decision to trust God for your life, you can do it today. It's a choice you make to truly take Him at His Word and take that Word into your heart, both written and flesh! Submit to Jesus, call on His name and receive Him. If there is a circumstance that is troubling, whatever it might be, He is the solution to the problem. Call on Him to help, strengthen, comfort. If you truly desire it, He will respond and you will know. 

Hebrews‬ ‭4:11-12‬ ‭- Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

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