Gather My Heart

We can't time-travel, of course, but if we could, there is a gathering recorded in Scripture I would like to be part of. "Then all the people gathered together as one man at the open square in front of the Water Gate; and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses which the LORD had given to Israel ... So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding ... then he read from it ... from early morning until midday ... and all the people listened carefully ... Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people ... and when he opened it, all the people stood up ... Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God ... And all the people answered, 'Amen, Amen!' while lifting up their hands; and they knelt down and worshiped the LORD with their faces toward the ground." (from Nehemiah 8, AMP). How wonderful that gathering must have been - to hear the Word of God read, and how it moved the hearts of God's people. I'm deeply convicted of the neglect of my heart to read for myself God's Word, to carefully listen with understanding, to meditate morning into evening, to bless the LORD, to answer Him "so be it LORD" in my life, to lift my hands in praise and adoration, to bow head and heart to The Holy One Who loves me so. What a pleasing assembly and fragrant aroma to The LORD this must have been. We can't travel to the days of Ezra and Nehemiah but such love for Christ can and must be in the hearts of His people today. In the same way, O Father, unto You ... gather my heart.