Mourn Not, Nor Weep

2012-04-07

“This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.” (Nehemiah 8:9)

The law of God was read before all the people by Ezra the scribe, and it also was explained to the people (Nehemiah 8:1, 8). Their understanding caused them to weep, for that is one of the aspects of the word of God. “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). This is one of the edges. The word of God has high standards against sin and for holiness and purity. A critical reading of the word of God or good preaching should cause all of us to be humbled. Do we realize the penalty for our sin, and how much God abhors it?

Since the people understood the word of God and were convicted deeply of what was said, the Levites called for people to put away their mourning. This is the other side of the great twoedged sword: God is merciful to those who weep over their sin and turn from it. When we who believe on Jesus Christ commit sin, he quick to forgive us when we confess our sin (1 John 1:9).

If you are smiling while you live in your sin, now is the time to mourn. However, if you mourn now, and have confessed your sins to the LORD, now is the time to draw near to God, “for the joy of the LORD is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).