The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ezra 9:3-6, “When I heard about this matter, I tore my garment and my robe, and pulled some of the hair from my head and my beard, and sat down appalled.
4 Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel on account of the unfaithfulness of the exiles gathered to me, and I sat appalled until the evening offering.
5 But at the evening offering I arose from my humiliation, even with my garment and my
robe torn, and I fell on my knees and stretched out my hands to the LORD my God;
6 and I said, “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen above our heads and our guilt has grown even to the heavens.”

Why haven’t you done something about this? This is an oft-asked question that begs for an answer that simply isn’t there. One may live with the illusion that a pastor or someone allegedly in authority ought to know; yet at the same time, there is no guarantee that he does know!

When he does discover what everyone thought he knew, he is literally “beside himself!” He
expresses his remorsefulness by tearing at his clothes and pulling out his hair, signs of
personal frustration in the light of serious occurrances. Today we have similar situations, although, perhaps, not often so drastic.

Notice especially the reaction of the people. They were beside themselves, trembling at the
words of God. They had indeed been unfaithful. What a contrast that is to people today! Today’s people offer excuses and often point to others as more unfaithful than themselves.

At the time of the evening offering, Ezra, the prophet, clothed with appropriate shame, fell
upon his knees, and extending his quivering, out-stretched hands humbly to the LORD, said,
“Oh my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You…” How appropriate
it would be for us to do the same. Our postures before the LORD often link with the brevity of our “sinful confessions.” We seek His forgiveness, but often neglect earnest sincerity.

Our nation today is running close to unpardonable sin! Unfortunately, so are many of our churches. Is our national sin affecting our churches? Or is our ecclesiastical sin the causation of our national dilemma? It may well be both –in which case, we need to pray more earnestly
for our spiritual leadership. Make today a day of prayer for your pastor. Pastors experience pressures often known only to their wives and families.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom