Nehemiah’s message is clear: a well-functioning church or solid infrastructure is not enough. We need a living, vibrant faith that breathes life into these structures. The Israelites rebuilt the walls, but their spiritual emptiness revealed their hypocrisy. “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Isaiah 29:13. A dead church, devoid of passion and mission, is one of the saddest sights.
Many have become more familiar with material desires than with God’s Word. Our Bibles gather dust, while our hearts remain distant. “Friendship with the world means enmity against God” James 4:4. God desires wholehearted devotion, not shallow religiosity. Now is the time to return, like the Israelites at the Water Gate, and let God gather us.
In Nehemiah 8, the people craved God’s Word. They sought it, initiated their gathering, and were eager to understand. Revival always begins with a deep hunger for Scripture. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the word of God is alive and active… it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” The Israelites wanted to hear everything, even the difficult parts of the Law. Their passion stands in stark contrast to our often lukewarm approach. Revelation 3:16 warns, “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
God doesn’t want mere attendance; He wants hearts that long for Him. Guilt-driven actions miss the point. True devotion rises from love, and this love is shown by seeking God’s Word and prioritising it over worldly distractions.
We must ask ourselves: Are we lukewarm, content with minimal effort? Have we put other things before God’s Word? True love for God will be seen in a life that eagerly pursues His Word, pushing aside every distraction. Now is the time to awaken our hearts and fully return to God.
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk