October 3 & 4, 2026
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Nehemiah and 1 Peter? Here’s today’s reading:
Nehemiah 8 (NIV)
1 all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.
2 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.…..Continue Reading
Next: Nehemiah 9
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Back: Nehemiah 7
Nehemiah 8
Nehemiah 8 really good to see that the people were very thankful and listening closely to GODS word being read to them by Ezra. and it was neat how everyone was to build their booth and celebrate in them with their family and friends for the several days. with the booths representing GODS protection over them.
Nehemiah 8
Nehemiah 8
“Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.”
Nehemiah 8:10-11
Psalm 30; Nehemiah 3-8; 1 Peter 1-2
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The people were grieved when they heard God’s word. They knew they were not worthy of God’s love given their disobedient history. But God did not want them to grieve, instead to have joy because He was restoring them. That is the character of the Lord; despite our disobedience and sin, He wants us to have joy because we have been redeemed and purified by the blood of Jesus Christ. So we are able to move forward with faith, trust and obedience to his word despite our past actions.
We read God’s word to understand it. It doesn’t always hit us right away and even the same way. I am always impacted when I read a verse or chapter I have read a hundred times and pull something completely different out. God speaks to us through His word where we are. We are blessed to have Pastor who teaches directly from God’s word and helps us to understand it like they did hear. Sometimes the reaction is a convicted tear like the people in this chapter, but joy always follows when we really understand that the goal of His words is correction and protection out of God’s abundant love for us.