“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”
Nehemiah 1:4
Unlike many leaders before and since, Nehemiah didn’t ask for his ears to be tickled. He wanted to deal with the truth. He asks about Jerusalem, the place where God used to meet with His people. And the news was heartbreaking: “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned by fire” (1:3).
If we genuinely desire to know the grace of God through Jesus Christ and want to grow by the grace of His Holy Spirit, we will not turn a deaf ear to the bad news—whether in regard to our circumstances or our very heart. Jesus did not come to make decent news better; He came to replace the bad news of our sin with the good news of His perfect righteousness on our behalf.
Friend, listen to the bad news. As a character in one of William Faulkner’s short stories once said, “Just weep.” Stay your mouth. Set aside excuses and pious platitudes. Join Nehemiah and Jesus (see John 11:37). Just weep. And then commend your heart to the grace of God.
If we genuinely desire to know the grace of God through Jesus Christ and want to grow by the grace of His Holy Spirit, we will not turn a deaf ear to the bad news—whether in regard to our circumstances or our very heart. Jesus did not come to make decent news better; He came to replace the bad news of our sin with the good news of His perfect righteousness on our behalf.
Friend, listen to the bad news. As a character in one of William Faulkner’s short stories once said, “Just weep.” Stay your mouth. Set aside excuses and pious platitudes. Join Nehemiah and Jesus (see John 11:37). Just weep. And then commend your heart to the grace of God.
Scripture Focus
Nehemiah 1:1-4
Insight
The good news of the gospel is only good news if we are honest enough to own the bad news.
Bible In A Year
- 1 Samuel 5-6
- Psalm 122
- 1 Corinthians 16
