S. O. A. P.

Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!

S-cripture:

Nehemiah 8:3

He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

O-bservation:

For the first time in probably over seventy years, the Word of God was read publicly by Ezra the priest. He read it inside the newly rebuilt walls of Jerusalem to several thousand Jewish refugees, from sun-up until noon, while everyone listened intently.

A-pplication:

For over four years I’ve written a 90 second daily devotional. Sometimes it takes 90 or a 100 or just 70 seconds to read. Everyday, people drop off of our email list and say, “Sorry Rich, 90 Seconds Is Too Long!” Now I realize maybe it’s just lousy writing, or maybe it really doesn’t meet a need. At the same time, as a Pastor, I’m realizing that there seems to be a dearth of daily devotion or daily study or just daily BIBLE READING! Here is a story of a people who had been raised on the Word but hadn’t heard the word in YEARS! When the people heard the Word after such a long time without it, they stood with rapt attention and listened for six hours. The only way to save a nation, relaunch a nation, or keep a nation strong is to be willing to read and understand the Word of God on a daily basis. And we need more than just “90 Seconds!”

P-rayer:

Dear Jesus,

This AM I want to make a new commitment to not only reading, but loving, Your Word. Your Word truly is my light. Amen