Ten Commandments Part II - Cry Out, Mourn and Weep

“Cry out in sorrow, mourn and weep.” James 4:9(a)

Boy, that doesn’t sound like a pleasurable situation! This verse brings a very different thought from the way James opens his letter in chapter one in which he tells the brethren to count their trials and tests as JOY! So, here we have gone from joy to crying, mourning and weeping – what is it that James is teaching us in today’s scripture verse?

When God convicts us of sin it is not a time of frivolity. Rather, it is a time when we should get face down on our knees before Him in mourning over our sinfulness, unfaithfulness and disobedience. We should weep over being both materialistic and secular as Christians.

It is important to remember that James is talking to church members of the day. In view of these sins James is calling for them to be wretched, to mourn, and to weep. Despite the grace they have received, they have chosen to act treacherously. They were disloyal or faithless to their Savior and Lord. For this reason, it is only right that they should be miserable for having committed such sins.

As the present-day church, as children of the kingdom, we can find ourselves in the same situations as those early believers and we are required to respond in the same manner. Cry out in sorrow, mourn and weep – just as James was calling for his brothers and sisters in Christ to do.

We believers need to realize that it is not a laughing matter to do wrong or to fall into sin. Sin is to be hated, not desired. Believers should mourn and weep when falling into temptation, remembering the cross and all that it means.

Meditate on today’s prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the wise instruction to live godly and victorious lives, in the book of James. Help me surrender my life and maintain sweet fellowship with You. Purify my heart and keep me from double-mindedness. May I hate sin in all its ugly guises and mourn over the things that dishonor Your holy name. Keep me low at the Cross and I pray that I would humble my heart before you daily. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

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