They All Stood

Nehemiah Chapter Eight contains an incredible picture of Israel's response to the Word...read on.

"So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, andMeshullam. 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."

Imagine what church would look like if people responded with sincerity and passion to the OPENING of the Word...I think churches would drop some of the labels its been branded with...but more importantly - ALL THE PEOPLE would be in a unified stance of adoration to the Father - the best place we can be.