Nehemiah 7 & 8

In Nehemiah 7 & 8, the walls are now built and the gates are restored, but Nehemiah's work had only just begun. A city isn't walls, gates, and houses - a city is people. The people existed for the walls in the first step of the mission, now the walls must exist for the people. It was time to organize the community. At the Water Gate, Nehemiah calls on Ezra to read the Word of God. The Word is like water for washing our souls and drinking of the Holy Spirit. The Word is put first in the life of the city. They hear the Word, understand the Word, and obey the Word. They respond to the Word by living out the Word. They excitedly stood for roughly 6 hours a day for 7 days in a row to hear the Word of God. That's passion, that's desire, and that's what it looks like to pursue God heart and soul.