An Article of Faith

During a cycle of sin in the Old Testament, God judged Judah by sending them into exile in Babylon. After 70 years God began to bring the people back to Jerusalem.
A significant revival took place under the leadership of Ezra the priest/scribe and Nehemiah, the governor. This revival began on the day for the Feast of Trumpets – a prescribed time of sacred assembly:
“So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
“Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, ‘Amen! Amen!’ Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground” (Nehemiah 8:2-3, 5-6 NIV).
Can you imagine being part of a crowd that stood for six hours (daybreak to noon) listening attentively to God’s Word being read? Amazing!
Another amazing fact from our modern perspective is that all of the people assembled, all who could understand.
This was not an optional event. The people heard how God had called them out as a nation. They heard about all the miracles and mighty acts God had performed for them. They couldn’t help but worship Him.
This revival experience began with a reading of God’s Word and a meaningful time of worship:
“The Levites ... instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read” (Nehemiah 8:7-8 NIV).
When the people understood the words of the law, however, they realized how miserably they and their fathers had failed the Lord. They began to weep and mourn. Notice the unusual response of the spiritual leaders:
“Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, ‘This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, ‘Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength’” (Nehemiah 8:9-10 NIV).
The leaders did not want to cut short the worship and praise. They knew the people needed to experience the joy of His presence. Genuine worship would strengthen them for the work of repentance to follow. The Israelites experienced great joy.
Worship alone, however, could not bring about revival. No amount of prayer, feasting, fasting, or Scripture study will. God requires repentance – a turning away from wrong and returning to Him:
“Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD (Jeremiah 29:12-14 NIV).

(Jessie J. Charpentier Sr. is pastor of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville.)