"Lord, let me weep for nought but sin,
And after none but Thee,
And then I would, O that I might,
A constant weeper be." - Charles Spurgeon
"That should grieve us most by which God's honour suffers and the interests of His kingdom is weakened."
- Matthew Henry
"Christian ministers must mourn over those in the church who refuse to repent of and forsake their sin, for they are spiritually dead."
- The Full Life Study Bible
"None are affected by heavenly things as those who are much in the study of the word, and are thereby taught the truth and essence of things. Carnal men are afraid of brute force, and weep over losses and crosses; but spiritual men feel a holy fear of the Lord Himself, and most of all lament when they see dishonour cast upon His holy name."
"Those who are the firmest believers in the eternal punishment of the wicked are the most grieved at their doom."
"It is no proof of tenderness to shut one's eyes to the awful doom of the ungodly."
- the above three quotes are from Charles Spurgeon
Psalm 119:53 says - "Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake Thy law."
Psalm 119:136 says - "Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not Thy law."
Jeremiah 13:17 says- "But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD's flock is carried away captive."
2 Corinthians 12:21 says - "And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed."
The situation at hand?
...the wicked have forsaken the law...they keep not the law...the Holy Law is despised and broken by them
...many of God's so-called people will not hearken to Him - speaking through His preachers...they will not submit to the Word...they continue onward in their pride, haughtiness, stubbornness, and vain confidence
...the new converts have not yet repented of their sins but continue in them
...and the professors of Christianity are walking hypocritically.
What kind of reactions should news like this stir up in the Man or Woman of God?
1. Vehement Wrath
The Psalmist witnessed a mixed passion - caused by the sins of the wicked and dread and sorrow at the consideration of the judgment of God to come. He shuddered and trembled. He was afraid, filled with distress, and burnt up. His indignation over the conduct of the wicked was likened unto a burning tempest or a desert storm.
2. Eyes Pour Forth Floods Of Tears
The Psalmist, the Prophet Jeremiah, and the Apostle Paul all were zealous in keeping God's law. Hence, they were deeply afflicted when others violated it. This caused an incredibly deep sorrow for God's dishonor and for the miseries which the sinners were bringing upon themselves. They wept in sympathy with God to see His Holy Law despised and broken, and they wept in pity for the sinner who was bringing down God's fiery wrath upon his head. Because of the sins of others, all three attested that their eyes poured out full-flowing streams of tears.
3. Mourn & Be Grieved
All three servants of the Lord mourned and lamented the sinful state of God's people as well as the consequences of their actions - "...because the LORD's flock is carried away captive." These backsliders wouldn't hearken to the Word of the Lord...repent of their sins...humble themselves...nor glorify the Lord. The Corinthians - in particular - continued in the sins of "uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness."
Matthew Henry made these comments - "The sins of others should be matter of sorrow to us." "The sins of sinners are the sorrows of saints. We must mourn for that which we cannot mend."
Adam Clarke said - "O for more of that spirit which mourns for the transgressions of the land! But we are not properly convinced of the exceeding sinfulness of sin."
O Christian! Do you have "that spirit which mourns for the transgressions of the land"? Are you "properly convinced of the exceeding sinfulness of sin"?
Is it your heartfelt prayer that God would make you "a constant weeper"?
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved
Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.
Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138
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