Year of Realization - Day 26: Sometimes it’s right to mourn.

“He went as far as the gate of the palace, for no one was allowed to enter the palace gate while wearing clothes of mourning. When Queen Esther’s maids and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, she was deeply distressed. She sent clothing to him to replace the burlap, but he refused it.”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬, ‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The American poet, Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919), begins the poem, “Solitude,” with: “Laugh, and the world laughs with you, Weep, and you weep alone.” Maybe you’ve heard that but didn’t know its source. Indeed, this whole poem is about the fact that the world is attracted to happiness and frivolity but and is repelled from mourning and sorrow.

However, Jesus commends those who mourn over sin and promises them solace.

“Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted].”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭4‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Without mourning over our own personal sin there is no repentance and therefore there is no salvation.

“Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”

‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Additionally, it is not only appropriate, but necessary, that we mourn over the state of fallen humanity.

Of course, we rejoice over the work of Christ through which we are delivered from the penalty of sin. However, we should never stop mourning over those who are far from the Lord.

“Oh that my head were waters And my eyes a fountain of tears, That I might weep day and night For the slain of the daughter of my people! Oh that I had in the wilderness A lodging place (a mere shelter) for wayfaring men, That I might leave my people And go away from them! For they are all adulterers [worshiping idols instead of the Lord], [They are] an assembly of treacherous men [of weak character, men without integrity].”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Jeremiah is referenced as “the weeping prophet.” The reason for this is that he spent much of his life mourning over the sins of his people and the resulting judgment against them.

In our opening scripture we see that Mordecai—having heard the plan of Hamon—donned sackcloth and ashes as an outward sign of his inner grief. Even when Esther sends fresh clothes to him, he refuses to wear them.

You see, Esther didn’t know what was going on. But we will discuss that further on tomorrow.

Remember, it’s not that the Lord wants us to spend our days moping around; but it is incumbent upon us to mourn the rampant sin around us and the imminent judgment that is looming.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#yearofrealization