Read Nehemiah 9:1-8

Weddings are beautiful joyous occasions where families and friends gather to see two people commit to living life together as husband and wife. While months (sometimes years) of preparation goes into planning the entire event, the wedding truly begins where the bride appears at the back of the church with her father. At the appearance of the bride, all in attendance stand in honor of her and strain to see her in her beautiful dress.

When Ezra gathered the people of Israel who had returned from exile, He encouraged them to turn their hearts back to God. As a sign of great honor, the Scriptures tell us that the people stood for hours out of respect for God’s word and in confession of their sins.

They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God. Nehemiah 8:2-3 NIV.

In almost every culture, standing is a sign of honor and respect. While important people may deserve to be honored, God deserves honor and respect beyond anyone or anything else.

For what are you willing to stand?
In what ways do you show respect to God and His word.?
God, give me the strength to stand up for my faith in You in my life today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

(This devotion first appeared in devotional publication Take 5 Plus)