Sacred Assembly

“Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads. ² And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. ³ And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the Lord their God.” Nehemiah 9:1-3 (ESV)

The walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt and the people of Israel had gathered for a sacred assembly. Ezra read the Book of the Law in the hearing of the people. In brokenness and humility, the people of Israel assembled with fasting and consecrated themselves before the Lord. They chose to separate themselves from all foreigners and stood to confess their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. In this sacred assembly, they experienced the reading of the law, confession, and worship.

What does your worship look like in private? How do you commune with God personally and privately? Spend a few moments assessing your private worship. Do you spend time feeding on God’s Word? Do you spend unhurried time alone with God in prayer and contemplation?

Now think about your public worship. When you gather with other believers to worship God, what does your worship experience entail? Are you conscious of your own sin and cognizant of the holiness of God? Is there a spirit of brokenness and humility as you worship God?

Ask God to take your private and public worship to a new level of intimacy. Invite the Lord to take you on a journey in worship that enables you to encounter Him in all of His fullness and holiness.

Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 271:  Nehemiah 8-10)

Pursuing God,

Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
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