Open The Book


"Ezra opened the book" Neh. 8:5.

This was a significant moment in the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Nehemiah could rebuild a wall with bricks and mortar, but to rebuild lives he was going to need something more. Walls are temporary. The new one would still not last forever. However lives are so much more. God created us as eternal beings, and to rebuild eternal beings you have to work with eternal materials.

The Psalmist declared,

“Your eternal word, O LORD, stands firm in heaven" Psalm 119:89.

Opening the book was the only way to prepare eternal beings for eternity.

It still is.

Today we often open the book by opening an app, by clicking an icon, or we may still flip open a cover. However we do it, we must do it. The Bible wasn't intended to remain closed. It's a weapon. It's a tool. It's a transformer.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" Romans 12:2

Open the book. As we read we are built; we are changed; we are transformed.

Transformers were a big hit when I was a teenager. They’re still around, but there was no movie series yet. There was an animated television series, and there were toys galore. One of the big lines was that Transformers were, “more than meets the eye.” You couldn’t really tell what they were by looking at them. That’s the same in our lives. The change that takes place within us isn’t always visible, but it’s happening.

As we open the Book, let’s allow it to transform our lives.

Following the Son,

James A Williams

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