Weep, Mourn, and Pray

When I heard these words, I sat down and wept.  I mourned for a number of days fasting and praying before God of heaven.  Nehemiah 1:4

If we live long enough, there will come a time when we will be receive devastating news.  This news will break our hearts and will place us in a position where we may not know what to do.  We may feel as if there is no place to turn.  Let us not be deceived.  We do have someone to turn to.  Our family and friends are wonderful but where do we turn first?  Who do we turn to first?

We read in the Book of Nehemiah that Nehemiah had received some devastating news.  Nehemiah 1:3 – They said to me, “The remnant in the province who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace.  Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down and its gates have been burned.”  Nehemiah received news that greatly unsettled his soul.  Has there ever been a time that the news you received unsettled your soul?  Nehemiah was greatly concerned about Jerusalem because it was the Jews’ holy city.  It was his homeland, even though he was living in Babylon because of the Jews’ captivity. 

Your devastating news may not come in the form of your homeland being in disarray but it could come in the form of a diagnosis, a family crisis, a release from a job, or an end to a relationship.  Devastating news comes in all forms to all people.  We see in Scripture that immediately after hearing the news, Nehemiah wept, he mourned, fasted, and prayed.  He sought out no one else other than Almighty God. 

What will we do when difficult news is delivered?  Before our news ever arrives, our LORD knows.  Job 34:21 – For His eyes watch over a man’s steps and He observes all his steps.  Our God is omniscient and desires for us to yield to him in our brokenness, in our heartache.  Weep, mourn, and fast, but most importantly, go to your knees in prayer to God.  Psalm 34:17 tells us The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears…..

So when the difficult news comes, and it will; what will you do?  Let’s do as Nehemiah did.  Take  time at first to weep, mourn, fast, and pray.  Then listen to the voice of God as He directs your path. 

Dear Heavenly Father, we know this journey can be difficult.  I pray we will seek Your will and directions in prayer as Nehemiah chose to do.  In Jesus Name I Pray…..Amen.

Lukewarm

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I wish that you were cold or hot.  So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth.  Revelation 3:15-16

Our Savior and LORD knows all.  He knows our hearts, our motives, and our deeds.  What does Jesus see when He searches your heart?  What do your motives and your deeds reveal to Christ?  When Jesus looks at our very souls, does He see someone who loves Him dearly and is motivated by their love for Him or does He see someone who is lukewarm. 

A lukewarm Christian is indifferent and apathetic.  They are satisfied with going to church and having “their” spiritual desires met.  They go through the religious motions, so to speak.  A lukewarm Christian may share the Gospel Message but only when it is convenient for them.  They are halfhearted in their commitment to Jesus, to prayer, and to the reading of His Word.

In Revelation 3:14-22, Jesus is addressing the church in Laodicea.  He considered the spiritual worthiness of the church nauseating – “I am going to vomit you out of My mouth.”  I wonder when Jesus looks at the heart of our church, how does He view her spiritual worthiness?  How does Jesus Christ, my Savior and LORD, view my personal spiritual worthiness?  Am I living the life of a lukewarm Christian? 

The study of Scripture reveals that the rapture of the church (believers) could take place at any moment and after that the seven year Tribulation will begin.  Study the book of Revelation and you will see the horrific events that will take place during the Tribulation period.  Just the thought of this horrific time period should cause urgency in our spirit.  Lukewarm churches and Christians must put repent of their apathy and turn to God for strength and guidance to carry the Plan of Salvation to the world. 

The believers in Laodicea thought that their material possessions were a sign of God’s blessing upon their lives.  Their wealth lead to their arrogance and caused them to be completely blind to the fact that they were spiritually wretched and blind.  Revelation 3:17 – Because you say, ‘I am rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.  We must remember that no matter how much we possess, how much money we make, or how educated we are, we have nothing if we don’t have a vital relationship with Jesus Christ.  Our possessions and achievements are valueless compared to an everlasting future with Jesus Christ in His Heavenly Kingdom. 

Jesus was calling the church at Laodicea to repent.  He told the church if they continued as they were, indifferent in their relationship to Him, He would discipline them.  Revelation 3:19 – As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline.  So be committed and repent.  If we are living the life as a lukewarm Christian, a life of apathy, it is time we turn to our LORD and repent.  Prayerfully ask Almighty God to reignite our zeal for our Savior and LORD. 

Dear Heavenly Father, forgive us for not being totally devoted and surrendered to You.  Help us to realize that this world is truly temporal and fleeting.  I pray we turn our eyes to the eternal.  Empower us LORD.  In Jesus Name I Pray…..Amen.