Broken Walls and Built Hearts

I was reading Nehemiah the other day.  The beginning of the book tells us that Jerusalem was in ruins and a Jewish governor named Nehemiah felt strongly that his homeland city should be re-established, so he went and rebuilt the broken walls surrounding it.  This was an important act to help a broken people regain some of their identity.  But once this task was complete, it was soon discovered that the the people's hearts were still broken.

When we read chapter 8 we see Ezra the prophet standing before the nation of Israel, reading from their bible (The Book of the Law).  Something that really struck me was that when the book was opened all the people stood, raised their hands and shouted "Amen!", then bowed down on their faces. In verse 9 we read that "all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law."  Why had they been weeping?

If you read Chap. 9:1-3 you can see clearly the answer:  when God's word was spoken the people's broken hearts were convicted of their sin and the response was to confess their sins to their Father.

What strikes me is the power of God to speak to one's heart and also the passionate response of the people.  It was clear to them as they heard God's word speaking to them, that they and their forefathers had gone astray, turning their backs on God.  But when coming into contact with the words that came from the mouth of God, their hearts yearned for forgiveness and freedom.  If you continue to read in Nehemiah you can see how the people grew in zeal for God and His commands and how their hearts increased in joy.  One seems to go along with the other.

I desperately want to see God's people passionately seeking after Him.  I want to see God at work making tangible differences in people's lives.  I want to see Him mend broken identities and building strong hearts that glory would be given to Him.  Oh Lord, hear our prayer. . . . .