God’s people all gathered in the square and asked Ezra to bring out the scroll of the Law of Moses and read it to them. From dawn until noon, Ezra read God's Word to the entire crowd while they stood and listened attentively the whole time. Six hours of standing and listening to Scripture! As Ezra and the Levites explained the meaning and helped the people understand God's will, something remarkable happened. The people began to weep as they realized how far they had drifted from God! And yet, Nehemiah and Ezra turned their tears into celebration, reminding them that this was a holy day and "the joy of the Lord is your strength." The Rev. Chris Matthis, pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Castle Rock, CO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Nehemiah 8. To learn more about Epiphany Lutheran, visit epiphanylc.org.From rubble to renewal, Nehemiah shows how the Lord rebuilds not just walls but hearts. Brick by brick and prayer by prayer, we follow God’s people through repentance, courageous leadership, fierce opposition, covenant renewal, and joyful dedication. This verse-by-verse series keeps Law and Gospel front and center, tracing the story from burned gates to the greater Builder — Christ Jesus — who secures a city that cannot fall. Expect honest history, practical application, and the steady comfort of God’s promises when the work is heavy and critics are loud.Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected].