Nehemiah 1:3-4
They said to me, “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 with fire. When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
The city wall and gates stand for city’s protection, separation and reputation. Nehemiah was in a secular job and was not a prophet like Isaiah nor a teacher of law like Ezra, yet he had a tremendous burden for the city of Jerusalem and his people. He wept, mourned, fasted and prayed not for his personal sorrows nor for his reputation in his secular work but for the city of the Lord and His people.
The word “mourn” speaks of great sorrow like sorrow of death. When Nehemiah thought about his city and people, he had tears, he had a deep sorrow like a loved one died which lead him to fast and pray without ceasing for few days.
When was the last time we mourned, not for the sorrows of our own, but for the broken walls of the church, families and individuals? When was the last time we grieved over the reputation of the Lord, that the name of our Lord being dishonoured among us?
Ezekiel 22:30And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
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