In the eighth chapter of Nehemiah we’re introduced to what God’s word can do when His people read and understand its words.
After the work on the wall was completed, the Jews were hungry. But they didn’t call for a feast with food and drink; instead they were hungry for God’s word.
They gathered together as one and asked Ezra to read from the book of the Law, and they listened intently while standing from sunrise to noon. And if that wasn’t enough, afterwards the Levites instructed them upon its meaning.
Once they heard and understood God’s word they wept and mourned realizing their sinfulness before a holy and righteous God. But instead of bringing grief, it brought great joy, and in this joy they were strengthened.
The prophet Jeremiah knew such joy at hearing and understanding God’s word.
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.” (Jeremiah 15:16a NKJV)
Unfortunately, this isn’t true for God’s people today. God’s people are starving for answers to the problems of life, but unable to find them because there’s a famine, not for food or water, but a famine for God’s word.
It’s sad to see how few Christians pick up the Bible to find God’s perspective on life and answers to the problems they face.
The Lord talked about such a time. He said,
“Behold, the days are coming that I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord, but shall not find it “ (Amos 8:11-12 NKJV).
Our desire for God’s word determines our spiritual health. Will you feast on God’s word and find joy for your soul, or will you suffer from spiritual malnutrition and famine?