Proclaim the Word

Throughout the Scriptures, we can see instances of the practice of God's Word being read publicly.  I think of the dedication of the walls of Jerusalem in Nehemiah 8, where we read (ESV):
1 And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel.
2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month.
3 And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

Bible Gateway recounts: 

In Exodus 24, Moses read Scripture to the Israelites on Mount Sinai.
In Deuteronomy 31:9-13, the Jews were instructed to read Scripture publicly every seven years at the Feast of Tabernacles.
In Joshua 8:34-35, Joshua read Scripture to the people of God as they entered the Promised Land.
In 2 Kings 23:1-3, the King Josiah read the Scriptures publicly and started a revival.
In Nehemiah 8:1-12, after the return from the Babylonian exile, the priest Ezra read the Bible publicly for hours each day for a week, which also started a revival.

Paul writes to Timothy in the 4th chapter of the book of 2nd Timothy (ESV):
1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound[a] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,
4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Movieguide published a recap of the recent America Reads the Bible event originating from Museum of the Bible in Washington:

After seven days and 84 consecutive hours of uninterrupted Scripture, America Reads the Bible concluded Saturday with the final words of Revelation proclaimed inside the Museum of the Bible and streamed nationwide on Great American Pure Flix.

Nearly 500 voices — pastors, worship leaders, entertainers, public servants and families — read the Word of God aloud from Genesis to Revelation during America’s 250th anniversary year. Millions engaged from homes, churches and communities across the country.

A press release appearing on the Christian Newswire site noted that "more than 3 million viewers tuned in to the historic weeklong Scripture-reading event livestreamed on Great American Pure Flix from April 18–25 in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The 84-hour broadcast marked the highest-rated event in Pure Flix history, with thousands more attending in person at the Museum of the Bible, underscoring the unprecedented national engagement surrounding the initiative."

And, there's more to come.  There continues to be published reflection and consideration of the impact of that global event.  Movieguide also noted:

The conclusion of America Reads the Bible does not mark the end of the moment, it marks the beginning of a broader cultural effort. Alongside the weeklong Scripture reading, Great American Media has launched America Sings the Anthem, a nationwide invitation for families, churches and communities across all 50 states to submit their renditions of “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the country approaches its 250th anniversary.

National Spokesperson for the Bible-reading event, Candace Cameron Bure, posted this on Instagram:

What a weekend in Washington D.C. for the historic reading of the Holy Bible. Today we kicked off 7 straight days, 9am to 9pm, over 400 readers, 84 hours reading from Genesis to Revelation. I was honored to be the national spokesperson and read Genesis 6-8. You can live stream this event on PureFlix.com for free. Sit down with your families and watch it. From government officials, to farmers, pastors, entertainers, educators, and every day American moms and dads, and even the President. We are all united and reminded that we are equal in God’s eyes. God’s love for us is so patient. Let us be reminded of His wisdom and goodness for us when we repent and rend our hearts to Him.

Matt Friedeman of Wesley Biblical Seminary, writing for the Magnolia Tribune, offered a critique and call to action after the event concluded, writing that: "Public reading of Scripture is a worthy endeavor. But we also need leadership to affirm that if we truly intend embrace the Bible and worldview that made this country great, we would be wise to give sober assessment to the moral direction of our nation and the consequences that await without a course correction."  He noted: "The hope in all of this?  It is as true today as it was then:  'Humble ourselves…seek His face.'”

Franklin Graham wrote a piece in Decision Magazine recently that began like this: "On May 17, thousands of Americans are expected to assemble on the National Mall, in Washington, D.C., to participate in 'Rededicate 250: National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving.'”  He notes that, "Citizens from every state in the Union are expected to gather near the Lincoln Memorial to prayerfully give thanks for God’s blessings and providence for the United States since her founding in 1776. Americans will also be praying for God’s ongoing protection and direction for our country as well as seeking His forgiveness for our nation’s many sins."

He also encouraged readers to participate with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in praying each day from May 14 through July 4.  He stated: "Visit OneNationUnderGod.com beginning May 14 and for the following 50 days as a pastor from each state shares Scripture and leads a daily prayer for our nation."

We just celebrated the National Day of Prayer yesterday, and Franklin recalled how his father had encouraged President Harry Truman in the launch of a National Day of Prayer; the younger Graham said:

More than seven decades ago, my father held a peace rally on the east steps of the U.S. Capitol building to encourage President Harry Truman to establish a National Day of Prayer. It was a historic moment that had an immediate impact. Within two days, legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives and passed after committee action by unanimous vote. Truman signed the joint resolution into law in April 1952.

Will Graham co-hosted the national livestream last night to observe the National Day of Prayer.  

Prayer.  Bible reading.  Gatherings of believers.  These are all encouraging signs and can hopefully motivate Americans to turn to God - for each Christian to search his or her heart, to ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate our sin and that cleansing power of Christ would purify us, and that His light, out of pure hearts, would overflow to the world around us.

We can exemplify what it truly means to seek God's face, to realize that His Word contains the answers to the manifold challenges we face as a nation.  God has had His hand on our nation, and we can pray that He will continue to show Himself to be faithful; yet, we must be faithful to call upon Him.