[notice]A monthly column by farmer, preacher and writer for Jesus, Angus Buchan[/notice]
If we look at The Book of Nehemiah we will see that when Nehemiah called the children of Israel together after having to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, he addressed them together as a Nation. Nehemiah 8:8 (NKJV) — So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.
Once the people understood The Word of God, the Bible tells us that the joy of the Lord became their strength — Nehemiah 8:10, NKJV.
Like never before, we as preachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, have got to speak the Word of God in love, but we must speak the truth. John 17:17 — Sanctify (consecrate) them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Very great gladness
It is the Word of God that gives us new vision. It is the truth and revelation of the Word that sets the captives free. The Bible tells us in Nehemiah 8:17 (NKJV) — And there was very great gladness. The children of God built booths made from wood saplings. They spent time underneath them for seven days remembering the time that Moses led them out of bondage and slavery from Egypt, and through the mighty Negev desert for forty years and God protected them all the way. As they remembered this they were full of gladness.
I can really testify to that, because the Israelis still do it to this very day. In fact, I have had the honour of speaking many times at the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. It is the biggest public holiday in modern day Israel.
Again I want to stress the importance of speaking the Word of God in the Holy sacred assembly of people. Joel 2:15 (NKJV) — Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; We really need to get the people together in South Africa, as one nation and start to speak out The Word of God.
Not man’s opinion, not politician’s ideologies, but the undiluted Word of God and then we will see, like never before, revival in this Nation, which I firmly believe will spread right throughout the continent and even overseas, because we know that the Word of God never returns void.
Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) — Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. So if you are feeling desperate, or feeling depressed, I encourage you to start to read the undiluted Word of God and your spirit will indeed be set free like the bird that escapes the fowlers snare. May God bless you as you continue to focus your whole life on Him.
Yours in Christ service
Angus, Jill and the Shalom team
Isa 58:13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
Isa 58:14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Lovely article and even better comment by Alf James