July 11

Nehemiah 8

The people gather at the square to hear Ezra, who reads the Law publicly.

INSIGHT

No one appreciates a glass of water like a man who is truly thirsty. It takes deprivation to appreciate the significance of our blessings. That is why the Christian life is not always easy—with blessings flowing unabated. We get dull and stale to it—just as we do when we have too much food and too little exercise. We are indeed blessed to have the Word of God in such abundance. The returning Jews have never heard the Word, and they are truly thirsty. They stand — from dawn till dusk — and drink it in. To appreciate the Word in your life, imagine not having it at all.

PRAYER

Give the Lord your praise, because He knows us and loves us and will never leave or forsake us:
You who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the souls of His saints;
He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.
Light is sown for the righteous,
And gladness for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His
holy name (Psalm 97:10-12).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon
(Isaiah 55:6-7).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared
for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

The Lord encourages us to come to Him with our concerns and desires. As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• The renewing of your mind
• The needs of your extended family
• Your activities for the day
• Whatever else is on your heart

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).