Nehemiah 1:4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
Who said big boys don’t cry? When Nehemiah heard that his father’s city was in ruins and his hometown was in rubble he sat down and wept. His tears were not just a normal cry but an outburst of extreme emotional pain, sorrow and heartbreak. Tears ease the throbbing pain temporarily but just weeping does not bring answers from heaven. Tears that reiterate the covenant unlocks breakthroughs and answers.
Nehemiah was an official in the king’s palace. He was a cup-bearer (a person who serves wine to royalty). They also tasted the wine that is going to be served to the king before it is poured-out into the king’s cup. So he held not only a high position but also a responsible one. Yet, he cried like a baby at the feet of the Lord when he heard about the treachery that had happened to his people. However, Nehemiah didn’t stop with weeping and mourning. He fasted and prayed. “Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments” (vs 5).
When we go through unexpected loss or pain, it is important that we share our emotions with people but it is also very important to cry on the bosom of the Saviour. With those painful tears our prayers should reiterate God’s promises reminding Him of His promises to us. Do not despise prophecies (1 Thessalonians 5:20). Hold on to prophecies tenaciously even when the reality is far from the promise. The blood of Jesus brings us under the divine covenant with Him to exercise all the promises, with authority, as the King’s kids. Even if we forget the covenant we have with God, He will never walk away from His covenantal promises.
As tears clears the eyes from debris and dirt, but tearful prayers make our spiritual eyes focused and fixated on the Lord God.
Tears that reiterate the covenant unlocks breakthroughs:
1. Confession: The tears of Nehemiah with confession and petition reached heaven. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you (vs 6b). Tears of stubbornness do not even cross the roof of the homes but Nehemiah’s tears turned into SOS cries in heaven.
2. Correction: Nehemiah was willing to correct and set things right with the Lord hence his tears turned into triumphs. As Nehemiah repented and reversed the wrongs, God fulfilled His promise in the covenant.
3. Commitment: Tears of commitment to be obedient to God’s word and commandments bring favour. God gave him favour in the eyes of the king and the provision to rebuild the ruins.
Tears with confession, correction and commitment unlock breakthroughs and break bondages.
Nehemiah 1:11a Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”
Prayer: Father God, may my tears be a sincere expression of confession, correction and commitment and not exasperation, vexation and frustration. Amen.
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