The receiving of the Word consists in two parts: attention of the mind and intention of the will. William Ames

All the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.  Nehemiah 8:3

As I sat in the auditorium, I faced the pastor with my eyes fixed on him. My posture suggested I was absorbing everything he was saying. Suddenly I heard everybody laughing and clapping. Surprised, I looked about. The preacher had apparently said something humorous, but I had no clue what it might have been. From all appearances I had been listening carefully, but in reality my mind was far away.

It’s possible to hear what is being said but not listen, to watch but not see, to be present and yet absent. In such a condition, we may miss important messages meant for us.

As Ezra read God’s instructions to the people of Judah, “All the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law” (Neh. 8:3). Their attention to the explanation produced understanding (v. 8), which resulted in their repentance and revival. In another situation in Samaria, Philip, after persecution of the believers broke out in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1), reached out to the Samaritan people. The crowd not only observed the miraculous signs he did, but they also “paid close attention to what he said” (v. 6). “So there was great joy in that city” (v. 8).

The mind can be like a wandering adventurer that misses a lot of excitement close by. Nothing deserves more attention than words that help us discover the joy and wonder of our Father in heaven.

Lord, our minds are so prone to distraction. Help us to be present in the moment, especially when listening to those who instruct us in Your ways. 

聆听上帝的话语，需要专心和顺服。

众人都侧耳倾听这律法书的话。-尼希米记8章3节，-新译本

我坐在椅子上，面对着讲台上的牧师，眼睛看着他。看起来，我正十分专注地聆听牧师所说的每一句话。突然，我听到每个人都在鼓掌大笑，我惊讶地环顾四周。显然牧师刚刚说了好笑的话，但我却完全不知道他说了些什么。我虽然看起来很认真地聆听，但其实我的心思早已不知飘向何方。

我们可能听见别人说话，却没认真聆听；看是看了，却没仔细看；人在现场，其实心不在焉。在这样的情况下，我们可能会错失许多重要的信息。

当以斯拉对犹大百姓宣读上帝的律法，众人都侧耳倾听（尼希米记8章3节） 。他们专心聆听律法书的讲解，不但使他们能明白律法（8节） ，更使他们心灵甦醒并愿意悔改。到了新约时代，当信徒在耶路撒冷遭受逼迫而四处流亡时（使徒行传8章1节） ，腓利将福音带给撒马利亚的百姓。众人不仅看见腓利所行的神迹，他们更“同心合意地听从他的话”（6节） ，“在那城里就大有欢喜”（8节） 。

我们的心思常会四处飘荡，结果错失了身边许多重要的信息。的确，没什么比得上那些可以帮助我们认识奇妙的天父和得着喜乐的话语。

亲爱的主，我们很容易分心。
求祢帮助我们能够专注在当下，
专心地聆听祢的仆人教导祢的话语。

Nehemiah 8:2-6New International Version (NIV)

2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

4 Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.

5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

整理：于姊妹