Positivity Is Just A Stupid Word

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the LORD your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. [Nehemiah 8.9]

When is the last time you read the Law of God and wept?

In this time of 'Grace' we don't see much focus on the Law of God. I am not so sure that is a good thing.

How can people fully understand Grace unless they first fully understand the Law that Grace redeems them from?

I know, I know, everyone just needs positive, happy thoughts... Yeah, not so much. People need to repent. No doubt, genuine repentance will be accompanied by tears and weeping.

The problem today is, people want to skip the repentance part and get right to the 'joy of the LORD.' And, in so doing, that 'joy' is naturally insincere - for how could it be genuinely sincere unless it follows the depths of despair of understanding the Law?

We need to re-think our psychology. We are so invested in the idea that we should always be happy and at peace with ourselves and our world that we grossly neglect to effectively deal with the core issue robbing us of that happiness and peace - sin. There is only one way to deal with sin - repentance.

Mind you, after repentance, there is indeed joy. How could one not be joyful in being forgiven and restored to relationship with God?

And, how can there be joy apart from forgiveness? Any attempt to find joy outside of repentance is pointless. A forced smile on the face can never influence joy and contentment in the heart. "Positivity" is just a stupid word.

Father, help me to understand the need in my life for repentance. Help me to understand that true joy only follows genuine repentance.