Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, ‘Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve because the joy of the LORD is your stronghold.”
Nehemiah 8:9-10 HCSB
In our Scripture passage today, Nehemiah is addressing the Babylonian exiles who have returned to Jerusalem. He is reading the law and their realization that they had been disobedient grieved them. They began to mourn and weep. I can certainly identify with them. For many years I lived my life thinking all was good. But then I began to dedicate myself to attending church regularly. I began to study God’s word. I was convicted. These people cried because they were convicted of their sin. It was their sin that caused God to allow them to be taken into captivity and carried off to Babylon. God had tried for years to warn them. He had sent prophets, but they refused to listen.
Sound familiar? Here we are in America celebrating gay pride month. Leviticus 18:22 says, “You shall not lie with a man as a woman. It is an abomination. Romans 1:27 speaks of God giving men over to their lusts. It says, “The males in the same way also left natural relations with females and were inflamed in their lust for one another. Males committed shameless acts with males and received in their own persons the appropriate penalty of their error.” The Bible doesn’t mince words, homosexuality is an abomination to the Lord. But then it is topped off by being called Pride month. Pride is another abomination to the Lord. Proverbs 16:5 says, “Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured he will not go unpunished. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.” I went to the grocery store the other day to be accosted by the rainbow pins being worn by the employees. Our nation is supporting things that God detests. No good will come from this.
What will it take for revival in our country? We are told in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that if we humble ourselves before the Lord and pray and seek Him and turn from our evil ways, he will hear our prayers from heaven and heal our land. Do you think the suffering we are enduring now is coincidence? Do you think these massive storms, mass shootings, and inflation are all the result of who we have in office? No, it’s the result of what we are doing. It’s the result of a nation that has turned its back on God. We demand that God be taken out of the schools then we ask everyone to pray for the families of the victims in these mass shootings. Which is it, do you want God or not? You can’t pull Him off the shelf when you need Him. It’s an all or nothing kind of relationship.
My friend, when I dedicated my life to Christ there were times I wept because of my disobedience. My heart was broken because I knew that I had grieved the Holy Spirit. But I don’t have time for that because He has work for me to do. I have confessed my sin to Him, and He has forgiven me. It’s time to move on and get to work. It’s time to rejoice and celebrate the awesome God He is!
If only our nation could put aside their pride and seek Him with their whole heart. If only we could dedicate ourselves to Him. Neither you nor I can control what the entire nation does. But we can start with ourselves. We can dedicate ourselves to the Lord. We can seek Him with our whole heart. We can be obedient to His commands. We can be that beacon of light in this dark world. What will it take?
If you have not already surrendered your life to Christ, know it is not too late. But it might be in another minute from now. Give it all to Him before it’s too late. I believe we are in the end times. I believe God will not tolerate our blatant disobedience much longer. Turn to Him now.
Trust in Him and give it all over to Him. Rejoice and let the Lord be your stronghold.
Have a great day!