Prayer & Fasting Day 1

The word “Revival” may have various connotations for different people. By “revival,” we are referring to times when God’s people are brought to humble brokenness, confession of sin and a renewed devotion to Christ. These are all components of repentance. Personal revival can happen to an individual at any time as they respond to God’s Spirit at work in their life. Large-scale revivals, where great multitudes are spiritually awakened, are special works of the Spirit that have happened sporadically throughout the history of the church. Some of theses large-scale revivals through the centuries still impact our world today.

The central theme of the second half of the book of Nehemiah is to show how the Jewish exiles not only returned to the Land, but returned to the Lord. This was accomplished through the preaching, hearing and understanding of the Word of God. The Scriptures were the vehicle through which the Spirit brought conviction, repentance, confession, forgiveness and renewal – the hallmarks of revival and Spiritual awakening.

The Scriptures are Read: Nehemiah 8:1-4
Observe the setting for this event. Ezra is reading the Law of Moses (the first five books of the Old Testament). Through this reading, a new generation of Jews are learning of God, His covenant with them and their long history of disobedience to Him. From “early morning until midday” both the men and the women hear the Word. Those who can understand what is being read listen intently. Many of the listeners had grown up in Babylon where they had spoken only Aramaic. The Law of Moses was written in Hebrew so they had probably never heard the Word of God read, at least not in a language they were familiar with. This is a significant moment as the people encounter God mediated through His Word.

Reverence: Nehemiah 8:5-8
Their response to the opening and reading of the book displays their reverence for God and His Word. Some seventy years earlier, as the prophets warned them of God’s impending judgment, they all but ignored His Word. Now, as the book of the Law is opened, the people stand in respect and honor and then bless and worship God with their faces bowed to the ground – this is a major change in attitude toward God and His Word.

Conviction and Rejoicing: Nehemiah 8:9-12
As Ezra continues to read and explain the Law, the people break down, mourn and weep. They were hearing from Leviticus, Exodus, or Deuteronomy – that if they walk in God’s ways, He will bless them; but if they turn from Him and His ways, he will curse them (see Deut. 28). They recognize that the reason their fathers had been taken into exile was their disobedience to God and that they, too, are guilty of unfaithfulness to Him. They begin to feel the weight of their sin and weep. Having repented and turned from their sin, Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites encourage the people to rejoice and celebrate. They were not just turning from their sin but turning to the Lord, the source of joy. The goal of Scripture is not to produce conviction and guilt. It convicts us of sin with the goal of leading us to the Lord for forgiveness, grace, mercy and all of the blessings that are in Christ. In this passage the time of mourning has past and the time for renewal had begun.

Obedience: Nehemiah 8:13-18
In the seventh month, as leaders gathered together to continue learning from God’s Word, they discover that each year, in the seventh month, Israel is supposed to celebrate the Feast of Booths (a commemoration of their wilderness wanderings). since this is news to them, they had obviously not been performing the annual celebration. So, the leaders make a proclamation, and the people prepare to celebrate, demonstrating a renewed responsiveness and obedience to the Word of God.

Confession and Commitment: Nehemiah 9:1-4
This section is a bit long but it records how the people acknowledge their sin and the sin of their ancestors (9:1-37). They begin with a time of confession (9:1-4), continuing to listen to scripture as they meet together “with fasting, in sackcloth and with dirt upon them.” This was a common cultural expression of remorse and grief.

Some Questions

What stood out in this passage? What spiritual similarities can you gleen on?

What do you think caused the people’s weeping?

In 8:6, the people bow to the ground in reverence and humility. What does it mean to humble yourself before God? What does it look like for you to do that?

In what ways have you noticed your heart being cold or calloused to God’s Word?

Is there any area in your life where you are less than open to God’s correction?

Where have you ceased to experience the joy of the Lord? Pray that the Lord would grant you a path to regain that joy?