Today's Scriptures:
Nehemiah 8:1–18
Luke 24:13–35

Key Verse:
Luke 24:32

"And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?"

The Point:

A Heart on Fire - Ignited by God's Word

God's Word has the power to ignite our hearts and spark revival within us. When Jesus opened the Scriptures to His disciples, their hearts burned with passion, understanding, and hope. Likewise, when we engage deeply with God's Word, it lights a fire in our souls, a longing to live for Him and share His truth.

A heart on fire for God is alive, vibrant, and unquenchable. It is not satisfied with lukewarm faith but hungers to know and obey God fully. Let Scripture fuel your passion and set your heart ablaze with divine purpose.

Example:

When the walls of Jerusalem had finally been rebuilt under Nehemiah's leadership, the people gathered together in the open square before the Water Gate. After years of captivity and scattering, they hungered to hear God's Word again. They called upon Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded Israel.

From the morning until midday, Ezra stood upon a wooden pulpit made for the occasion, reading the Scriptures aloud. "And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground." (Nehemiah 8:5-6).

As the Word was read and explained, something powerful happened. The people's hearts were ignited - conviction fell upon them, and "all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law." (v. 9). God's Word exposed their sins, reminded them of His holiness, and revealed how far they had wandered.

But the fire burning in their hearts did not stop with weeping. Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites told the people not to mourn, but to rejoice, for "the joy of the LORD is your strength." (v. 10). The people then went their way to eat, drink, and share with those in need, rejoicing greatly "because they had understood the words that were declared unto them." (v. 12).

That revival continued. The very next day, they discovered in the Scriptures the command to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. Immediately, they obeyed - gathering branches, making booths, and celebrating as it had not been celebrated since the days of Joshua. Verse 17 says, "And there was very great gladness."

The Word of God set their hearts on fire - first with conviction, then with joy, and finally with obedience. What began as reading from the Book turned into revival for the entire nation.

Centuries later, another scene unfolded on a dusty road outside Jerusalem. Two disciples, heartbroken over Jesus' crucifixion, walked to Emmaus (Luke 24:13). As they talked, the risen Christ Himself drew near, though they did not recognize Him (v. 15-16). Beginning with Moses and the prophets, He opened the Scriptures to them, explaining all that was written concerning Himself.

Their sorrow gave way to wonder as His words pierced their hearts. When He vanished from their sight after breaking bread, they turned to each other and said, "Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?" (Luke 24:32).

That burning within them was more than comfort - it was revival. Though it was evening, they immediately rose up and hurried back the seven miles to Jerusalem. There, they found the other disciples and boldly testified, "The Lord is risen indeed." (v. 34). Their despair had been turned into joy, their silence into witness, and their hopelessness into fire.

The fire that was kindled on the road to Emmaus soon spread. Those burning hearts joined the others in the Upper Room, waiting in prayer, and from there the gospel blazed outward at Pentecost. What began with two weary disciples walking in defeat became a spark of revival that would set the world aflame.

Reflection Questions:

• When was the last time God's Word truly stirred my heart?
• How can I cultivate a daily hunger for Scripture?