1. Bible study and obedience (1-5a)

Real Bible study only happens when people decide to obey the word of God. When God's people stood with repentant hearts and listened to the word of God, they could confess their sins, repent, and worship God.

2. Pray to the Creator God who rules history (5b-37)

The people stood together and read from the Bible; then they repented of their sins as God's Law convicted them. They praised the Creator God (5b-6). They praised God for keeping his promises (7-8): He delivered them from Egypt and gave them the land of Canaan. He gave them spiritual and physical food in the desert. They praised him for giving them victory over their enemies. They remembered the time of the judges, when God had sent deliverers and shepherds to his rebellious people time after time. Their present distress was because of their own sins. They repented and asked God's mercy.

Application: Lord, you are full of mercy and love; forgive our sins and heal our land.
One Word: Remember God and repent