You need to pick up this baby, don’t you? Piper Faith is now almost seven and can still turn on the water works when she wants something in her life to change!
But she’s learned tears won’t save her from discipline if she’s done something wrong–especially if the wrong-doing is something that could harm her in the long run.
When you know you’ve sinned, what does it take to show God you REALLY want to change?
Tears Are Temporary
I’ve been crying a lot recently. Emotional. Maybe it’s the COVID thing. Being cooped up. All the changes. Transitions. Uncertainties. Who knows.
It could also be the book Hubby and I are studying together. Intimacy by Douglas Weiss. We’re having to think about and discuss lots of things I haven’t considered in years!
How many times of saying, “I’m sorry,” really means I’ll change? How many tears causes a severe enough migraine to change my future behavior?
The simple answer? Tears don’t change me. Emotions are temporary. I saw this concept played out in Nehemiah 8-9 while reading in The Bible Project Read Through Plan on the Bible App.
History & Context
[Much of the following data was obtained from: Hubbard, Shiloh, Elliot Ritzema, Corbin Watkins, and Lazarus Wentz with Logos Bible Software and KarBel Media. Faithlife Study Bible Infographics. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2012.]Let’s get a little context. Israel was exiled to Assyria in 722 BC. Less than 200 yrs later, Judah was exiled to Babylon. Babylon was conquered by the Medes/Persians, when Cyrus the Great came to power. He sent the first Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem (538 BC) to begin rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls and Temple.
Because Ezra recorded the list of names that returned to Jerusalem and the completion of the Tempt in ca. 515 BC, I thought he was present for both events.
“But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping.” Ezra 3:12-13
NOT TRUE! After the completion of the Temple in Jerusalem came Esther. She married King Xerxes, and at some point later, the rebuilding of Jerusalem was halted due to foreign adversaries and greedy Jewish nobles.
Ezra Reads the Law
In ca. 458 BC, Ezra returns to Jerusalem with a group of exiles (Ezra 7:7-8) and teaches on them from the Law of Moses. In 444 BC, Nehemiah travels to Jerusalem and hears Ezra read the Law to the people (Neh. 8).
“So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard…and all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen,’ lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. Also…the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law…And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and 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 or weep.’ For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, ‘Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready…do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.'” Nehemiah 8:2,6-10
Lasting Response
Imagine this moment in history. God’s people understanding His Words. Piercing their hearts. Was it wrong for them to grieve over their sinful past? Was it wrong for them to shed tears in worship? I don’t think it was wrong.
God showed favor to others in Scripture who displayed grief with newfound understanding of the Law (i.e. Ahab – 1 Kings 21:27), Josiah – 2 Kings 22-23).
So why is JOY better than grief? Because JOY isn’t just happy. Happy is an emotion, but JOY is a lasting a condition of choice.
As I read farther into Nehemiah’s story, I realized there were two other things he asked of the people that also meant lasting change. See if you can pick it out from these verses.
“The people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads. And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers…[they wrote a brief history of their nation’s sins] Because of all this we make a firm covenant in writing; on the sealed document are the names of our princes, our Levites, and our priests.” Nehemiah 9:1-2, 38
3 Components of Spiritual Change
As I’ve read, re-read, and meditated on these two chapters, I’ve felt the gentle whisper of the Lord speak to my spirit. Though my tears are precious to Him (Psa. 56:8), and He is always close to the broken-hearted, He also demands REAL CHANGE when I realize I’ve sinned. Emotional sadness over the sin isn’t enough.
#1 Turn Sadness to Joy
Happiness is fleeting feeling, but joy is an abiding condition. Remember that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for ALL our sins on the Cross, and we can simply accept our Heavenly Father’s forgiveness through grace by faith (Eph. 2:8).
If you’ve sinned against a brother or sister in Christ, confessed your sin, and sincerely asked forgiveness, your attitude of humble joy should clear a wider path for joyful forgiveness. If their emotions keep them stuck in unforgiveness, that’s best left between them and Jesus.
#2 Confession Makes It Real
When we confess our sins–either verbally or in writing–it lends an element of accountability that silent sorrow neglects. Putting our sins into words somehow makes them more real. More…awful!
Even if I never tell another soul, writing down my confession makes it something I have to look at, deal with, and find a place to dispose of it. The process of getting it out of me and physically disposing of it turns it into real garbage!
If I confess my sin verbally to someone, now it’s become a whole new level of accountability. Not only do I need to “dispose of it;” I also have someone who KNOWS that I’m working on weeding that sin out of my life.
#3 Obedience Is Key
The Israelites came together with fasting, prayer, and separating themselves from foreigners (who had been part of their sinfulness). Their obedience had been immediate, but would it be sustainable?
They took a second step in making obedience long-term. They signed a contract–with themselves. (This may or may not be helpful to you, but give it a try.) Sin can quickly become a rut, and reforming a bad habit can be difficult. I’ve found if I do something for 3-4 weeks in a row, it becomes a new habit. See how long it takes for you to form a new rut!
Something You Need To Change?
As you’ve been reading this, has the Lord been knocking on your heart’s door? Is there something He’s been asking you to change in your behavior or perhaps in a relationship? Maybe He simply wants to spend more time with you during your day.
Whatever He’s asking you to change, spend some time reading Nehemiah 8-9. Get inspired by the Israelites who rediscovered their magnificent God. He’s the same God who’s whispering your name!
