In the autumn of 445 B.C., the governor Nehemiah had finished rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem after it had been destroyed. After exile, the people had gathered for a festival. Nehemiah 8:8 says: “They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.”

In response to what had been declared to them, the people rejoiced and wept. It was a holy day.

Today let’s focus on something in this passage which is easy to miss. The community gathered and read from the Bible. The leaders sought to explain things clearly so that “the people understood the meaning.”

In today’s culture, we can approach sermons and Bible study passively—as if we have no role to play in what is happening.

However, a more helpful approach is to be proactive. Through the generations and centuries, God’s people have done things to maximize the experience of listening to sermons and participating in Bible studies.

Here are a few quick suggestions:

First, we can pray ahead of time that God would speak to us. “Lord, as this passage is explained, help me to see what you want me to see as a disciple of Jesus. Prepare my heart and mind.” 

Second, we can ask questions of the text like: (a) What does this teach me about God? (b) What does this teach me about life? (c) What does this teach me about who God calls me to be? 

Third, we can bring our Bible to services or studies. We can underline key phrases or make notes about special insights. If God might be communicating something to us, don’t we want to remember it?

I’m inspired by the festival described in Nehemiah 8. I can see the people gathered, the Bible being read, and the people—now returned from a soul-testing time of exile—weeping and rejoicing at hearing the promises and laws of their God. 

As modern followers of Christ, let’s be proactive, not passive, when it comes to hearing sermons and participating in Bible studies. The Word of God builds up the people of God for the glory of God.

“They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the meaning.”

Notes:
-The Up Devotional is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and resumes on January 19, 2026.
-Bible quotes are from the ESV.