“Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law. You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness. My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words. Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes. I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands. Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules. Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word! I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.” (v133,136,138-139,155,158,164-165,169,174,176)
The theme that impacted me the most is the contrast of those obedient to God, versus those who are disobedient / ignorant. The author laments the fact others do not adhere to God’s word. In fact, the author feels so strongly about obedience to God, they actually weep for those who do not obey Him (v136).
I have to ask myself how often I mourn for those who do not know and obey God? Is my love for God and my neighbors so strong, that I weep for those who have not accepted (or who have forsaken) the hope of God’s salvation?
One of my favorite prayers in scripture is found in Ne 1:5-11. Nehemiah receives word the people of Israel have been scattered, and Jerusalem is destroyed. “As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” (Ne 1:4) He not only weeps because the people have been exiled, in his prayer he recognizes God allowed this to happen because of the people’s disobedience toward God. I think he mourns the loss of their spiritual foundation, more than the physical loss of the city.
My challenge today is to learn the hearts of Nehemiah and this psalmist who mourn for those whose relationship with God has lacked / failed, and pray fervently for them. Part of our calling as Christ followers is to pray for the lost and live our lives as examples for those people. The trick is, we need to live in humility like the apostles, not pride like the Pharisees/Sadducees. For this, I definitely need God’s help.
I’ll close with an abridged/paraphrased version of Nehemiah’s prayer: “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night, confessing the sins of the people, which we have sinned against you. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded. They are your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. O Lord, give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of the people.” Amen. (Ne 1:5-11 par/abr)
~ Conqueror in Training