Through His Word, We May Rejoice

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2016 8:28 pm Post subject: Through His Word, We May Rejoice

Through His Word, We May Rejoice

Scripture:

Then Esdras the priest brought the law before the multitude of men and women, and all those that could understand, in the first day of the seventh month. And he read it plainly in the street that was before the water gate, from the morning until midday, before the men, and the women, and all those that could understand: and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book. And Esdras the scribe stood upon a step of wood, which he had made to speak upon.

And Esdras opened the book before all the people: for he was above all the people: and when he had opened it, all the people stood. And Esdras blessed the Lord the great God: and all the people answered, Amen, amen: lifting up their hands: and they bowed down, and adored God with their faces to the ground.

And they read in the book of the law of God distinctly and plainly to be understood: and they understood when it was read. And Nehemias (he is Athersatha) and Esdras the priest and scribe, and the Levites who interpreted to all the people, said: This is a holy day to the Lord our God: do not mourn, nor weep: for all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. And he said to them: Go, eat fat meats, and drink sweet wine, and send portions to them that have not prepared for themselves: because it is the holy day of the Lord, and be not sad: for the joy of the Lord is our strength. (Nehemiah 8:2-4A, 5-6, 8-10)

For as the body is one, and has many members; and all the members of the body, whereas they are many, yet are one body, so also is Christ. For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free; and in one Spirit we have all been made to drink. For the body also is not one member, but many. If the foot should say, because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

And if the ear should say, because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were the eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members every one of them in the body as it has pleased him. And if they all were one member, where would be the body? But now there are many members indeed, yet one body.

And the eye cannot say to the hand: I need not your help; nor again the head to the feet: I have no need of you. Yea, much more those that seem to be the more feeble members of the body, are more necessary. And such as we think to be the less honorable members of the body, about these we put more abundant honor; and those that are our uncomely parts, have more abundant comeliness. But our comely parts have no need: but God has tempered the body together, giving to that which wanted the more abundant honor, that there might be no schism in the body; but the members might be mutually careful one for another.

And if one member suffer any thing, all the members suffer with it; or if one member glory, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members of member. And God indeed has set some in the church; first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly doctors; after that miracles; then the graces of healing, helps, governments, kinds of tongues, interpretations of speeches. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all doctors? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the grace of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? (1 Corinthians 12:12-30)

Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a narration of the things that have been accomplished among us; according as they have delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word: It seemed good to me also, having diligently attained to all things from the beginning, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the verity of those words in which you have been instructed.

And Jesus returned in the power of the spirit, into Galilee, and the fame of him went out through the whole country. And he taught in their synagogues, and was magnified by all.

And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up: and he went into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the Sabbath day; and he rose up to read. And the book of Isaias the prophet was delivered unto him. And as he unfolded the book, he found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. Wherefore he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he has sent me to heal the contrite of heart, to preach deliverance to the captives, and sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of reward.

And when he had folded the book, he restored it to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them: This day is fulfilled this scripture in your ears. (Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21)

Reflection:

It was a time where the people came together to rebuild and restore. The book brought before them by their priest contained the words of the law of God. The people heard and the words were explained so they might understand and they wept in their hearing. We might wonder, at what would the people weep as they listened to the reading of His law? Perhaps it is by hearing and understanding His Word that they realized what God asks and the many ways in which they missed the mark in what they have done and what we have failed to do. Perhaps their weeping was in realization of how they failed their God, one another and themselves. Still, the people were exhorted away from their sorrow to the reasons for which they should rejoice; the blessings which may only come from God.

It is right for us to feel sorrow when we have let another down. It is for this same reason many may find themselves overwhelmed with sadness as they hear His Word, for they realize the many ways they have faltered on their path. Others may face their weakness in denial in the mistaken belief that ignoring the existence or authority of His Word will somehow remove the harm of what one does or fails to do.

The one who ignores Him also ignores all which He offers; the grace of mercy, forgiveness, love and eternal life. Through Him and through living by the blessings of His Word, the people are called to come together in civility and peace. We are all called to share together and rejoice in the blessings of the Lord. As the people join hands to do what is right and just for one another, the pains brought forth through the temptations of evil may be set aside. It is such a day God seeks for His people, the day they may all join together in thanks and praise for the glory of their God and to rejoice in their love for Him and the love He seeks that they should have for one another.

We are tempted to seek prestige for there is a pleasure in receiving recognition for our accomplishments and satisfaction derived through attaining the goals of our ambitions. There is nothing wrong with ambition in and of itself, for it drives us; but it is the purpose to which we apply our ambitions which determine whether we yield good or evil. As we look inward and concern ourselves with only our own satisfaction, we miss what we may receive of the blessings brought forth through that which we give. We should not remorse if we are not called to live in a particular position of honor, for no honor of this world can compare to what He holds for even the least among us.

We are tempted to view our worth through our position and our accomplishments. We are tempted to treat one another by our relative stature, but Jesus sought to teach us a better way. Though we may have kings and leaders of nations, they serve no purpose without a kingdom or nation to inspire; nor can a kingdom or nation be inspired to greatness without one called with the necessary talents to lead them. Our blessings, therefore, are not found in our divisions, but what brings us together within the blessings of His light.

Blessed are those who are members of the body of Christ and together, we should all be encouraged, no matter our place, for it is together we may best accomplish what He seeks for His flock. Just as the strength of a chain is determined by its weakest link, we only make ourselves weaker if we seek our worth by the tearing down of another. Instead, we should seek to strengthen the whole through encouragement and the sharing of the talents He has placed within us. We must not envy the abilities of another, rather, we should be thankful for those He enables to do what we cannot.

If we aspire to be what we are not, we will miss the blessings of that to which He calls us and enables us. The evil one cares not as to how we miss the mark of the purpose for which God created us, only that we do. Our goal, then, must be to discover that to which we are called by God and for what purpose He desires that we may place our talents.

All are called to a purpose, some perceived as great, some perceived as small; but all are important in His eyes. As we seek discovery of our vocation, we must not overlook how many small things may build in great ways. We must also give thanks for those who enable us and those who give purpose to our talents. If we are called to lead, we must give honor to those who fulfill their call to follow. If we are called to follow, we must give honor to those who fulfill their call to lead. If we are to find a better way, we must remember, every child of His creation is important, for we are all diminished by any one we diminish.

In our quest to discover that to which we are called, we are often confused by what we perceive to be the expectations of the world. When such times arise, we must reflect in prayer and seek for the Holy Spirit to guide us (John 14:26). As we spend time with Him, He will guide our heart. He will lead us away from the distractions by which the evil one seeks to seduce us, deceive us and blind us.

Through His only begotten Son, the fullness of His Word was given for the blessings of all the generations. What was revealed, though, will not enlighten us if we do not listen, if we do not study, if we do not practice it within our lives. We cannot fulfill what He asks of us if our ears and eyes are closed to Him. We cannot warm the hearts of others if our own is cold. In our hearing of His Word, let us also pray for wisdom and understanding so that we might know His call, so we might know the purpose to which to put our talents, and so we might understand how we may share the blessings of His love.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier