This is my 3rd article in 3 days. I feel the stench of our sins as a society rising more and more and I can’t help but wonder when our patient and merciful God intervenes:
So the Lord told Abraham, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant. I am going down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard. If not, I want to know.” (Genesis 18:20-21 NLT)
Just how close are we to the Second Coming? When will the fullness of our sins be reached? Will we have one more great revival and awakening before the end?
In my first article I speak of Stephen who was grieved by the sins of his society and forefathers at the beginning of the Church Age. In my Second article I speak of Daniel who was grieved by the sins of his people that led to their 70 year captivity. In this third article I speak of Nehemiah who was grieved by the broken down state of his homeland.
In late autumn, in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was at the fortress of Susa. Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. Then I said, “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses. Please remember what you told your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations. But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’” (Nehemiah 1:1-9 NLT)
As we read on in the Book of Nehemiah, we learn that God answered Nehemiah’s prayer and he found favor with the King of Persia and was sent to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and encourage his kinsmen.
Now let’s move on to our present day here in the United States. The walls of our Christian heritage have been torn down and the gates of our moral integrity have been destroyed by fire. As each day goes by, we as a people fall deeper and deeper into sin.
This is where the rubber meets the road—–>Do we grieve in our day like Nehemiah did in his day? Do we pray for our Governmental leaders and are we burdened for lost souls?
“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NLT)
We may not be able to change the course that our nation and world is destined for. But we sure can impact those that we come into contact with in our everyday life!
And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. (Jude 1:22-23 NLT)
Annointing 