Daily Devotions
What Godly Sorrow Looks Like
Reading for May 23rd: Ezra 8-10
While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly.
Ezra 10:1
Ezra felt deep sadness and profound guilt because of the people's intermarriages with the surrounding nations. Looking through chapter 9 there are several vivid descriptions of his emotions because of this sin:
- He tore his garments (3)
- He pulled hair from his head (3)
- He sat appalled (3)
- He fasted (4)
- He fell on his knees (4)
- He spread his hands upward in prayer (4)
- He expressed his shame (5)
- He confessed Israel's guilt historically (7)
- He confessed God's mercy toward them - which was undeserved (8-9)
- He confessed in specific ways how they had violated the covenant (10-12)
- He admitted that their punishment was LESS than what they deserved (13)
- He wondered if God's anger should completely consume them (14)
- He confessed their unworthiness to stand before God (15)
Just some observations for you to think about before you pray:
- Have you honestly faced what you've done to God when you sin?
- Is confession something you do casually, perhaps even thoughtlessly, or is it a gut wrenching experience?
- Are you openly and specifically confessing sin to God?
- Is your confession leading to genuine repentance (see Ezra 10) or do you confess with no intention of giving up your sinful behavior?
Father, we hold back nothing this morning. We come naked before you. Our hearts have been pierced as we contemplate your holiness. Your hand is heavy upon us. What have we done? We have spit in the face of your bleeding Son. That's the way we've thanked you for your grace! And we have no other plea than the precious blood he shed for us. We tear our garments! We repent in dust and ashes! Have mercy! Please forgive us!
