Sunday 11 September 2016

They wept

And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. – Nehemiah 8.9

The people were moved when they heard the word of God. In fact they were moved to the point of weeping. ‘The people wept when they heard the words of the Law.’

Though the leaders are going to tell them nor to weep or mourn, I am impressed by the fact that the word of God spoke to their hearts in such a powerful way. Gods’ word was real and powerful and alive. It was strong enough to move their hearts and bring the the realisation of how far short they fell.

When was the last time the word of God moved us in such a powerful way? I am afraid that too many of us have become complacent to the word of God. It is ‘old hat.’ We ought to be going to hear God’s word begging God to touch us and stir our hearts like he did for the people of old. We used to call the place for prayer at the front of the church a ‘mourner’s bench’ because people were broken and mourning over their sin. Do we see that kind of response in our churches today?

But that's not all – the preachers had good news. You don’t need to weep because God is a holy God and He is able to deal with your sins.

So yes, God’s word should move us – but not only to weep over our sins and do nothing. We can weep with joy because He has provided the solution.

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