“11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, ‘Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.’12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.” NIV

Don’t let your approach to the Bible be merely academic.

We read the Book of books not simply for information, but also for transformation. What the people did here came from ‘understanding’ what God’s Word said (12b), and they had the greatest celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles since Joshua’s day (17). They translated this Word into life, and obedience led to ‘’great’’ joy.

I think of these words of Jesus:

‘’Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them’’ (John 13:17).

A passage in James 2 also comes to mind:

‘’In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead’’ (verse 17).

I remember my dad having a popular commentary on the epistle of James, and in it, the author, Ethel Barrett, said, ‘Christianity is as practical as a pair of shoes; not just for putting on and showing, but for getting up and going.’

What is taken in is meant to be walked out.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, as I read your Word, show me what you would have me do, and strengthen me to do it.