As I work from home today, I am led to the fact of the importance of words and how they began. Yesterday many gathered in their respective churches and at sometime during the service a preacher got up and gave a message to their flock.
I'm reminded of another pastoral message that took place long ago, in which Ezra helped the people to understand God's call for them. In the Book of Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 , we see a sermon taking place in the fact that Ezra read from the law of Moses. This was done to relay, and communicate the divine words of God for the people to hear them and to rediscover them.
Ezra's Plan for Rediscovery
- To publicly speak and expound God's Word to the people.
- For the people to understand the Laws of God.
- For he People to be comforted.
- For the people to take care of the poor.
Likewise we will be given another message today in the form of an inauguration message. Many people may vary on the support of the person giving the message, but it is an important time for all to rediscover the message that faith and God's Word still have a place in our past, present and future.
The Past in the fact the the words: "So help me God" were first spoken by President George Washington.
The Present in the fact that the words: "So help me God" are still spoken today.
The response "So help me God" is not a constitutional mandate to be read, but a personal choice of the faithful to recognize the fact that God has the primary role in our success or failures.
The Past in the fact that the Oath of Office is done with the oath takers hand on the Bible
The Present in the fact that the Oath of Office will be taken with the oath takers hand on the Bible.
Yes, whether you agree our disagree with the speaker, this is our opportunity to be like those that listened to Ezra and rediscover the fact that success or failure rest on the Word of God and the Presence of God in everything that we do.
My prayer for all of us is that we publicly speak the Word of God, understand the Word of God, be comforted by the Word of God, and understand that the Word of God mandates that we take care of those in need.
Let us pledge to hear and rediscover God's Divine Word for us all!
"So Help Us God"!
Pastor Tim
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