55-Days Devotional Journey - Day 45
July 15, 2025 (Tuesday)

Scripture:
On the second day the heads of fathers' houses of all the people, with the priests and the Levites, came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the Law. And they found it written in the Law that the Lord had commanded by Moses that the people of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, and that they should proclaim it and publish it in all their towns and in Jerusalem, "Go out to the hills and bring branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, as it is written." So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim. And all the assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths, for from the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not done so. And there was very great rejoicing. And day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. They kept the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the rule.
Nehemiah 8:13-18 (ESV)

Reflection:
Perhaps it is hard for us to imagine that today's Jews still strictly follow the instructions of the Book of the Law during the Feast of Tabernacles, build tents for seven days, read the Bible in the tents, and remember the salvation God once performed for them in Egypt, so that they could escape from slavery and enter the promised land.

If we carefully read the preparation process of the Israelites at that time, we will find that they all adhered to the records of the Book of the Law wholeheartedly, went up the mountain to get branches of various dense trees, and built tents in different corners of the city to remember God's salvation. Such a large-scale Feast of Tabernacles is a grand event across the ages, and it also means that everyone's hearts are looking up to Jehovah. This unity is the source of everyone's joy, and it is celebrating God's salvation for them.

Today, have we invited God to enter different corners of our lives and remember the salvation God has brought us? In the face of day-to-day work and relationships full of struggles and challenges, God invites us to remember once again that He is the Lord of salvation and wants to save us from despair. Are we willing to invite God into every corner of our lives more?

Furthermore, are we willing to share and celebrate with others the miracles God has done in us? I pray that we all have a heart willing to share with others, and believe that this joy can be contagious and passed on to each other.

Reflection Question:
Do we remember God's salvation for us in every situation in our lives? Are we willing to share with others how God has saved our lives?

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, You are the Lord of our lives, and we invite You to come into our lives and teach us to fully obey Your will. Please work in our lives so that we can see Your power and experience peace beyond all understanding. Let us follow You with joy. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

By Pastor Edmond Chung