There is no Reason
“…Why is your face sad…?”
In the King’s court of Persia, it was prohibited to be sad or dressed in sackcloth. Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king. His position required him to be optimist, happy and cheerful, while serving and counseling the king.
But Nehemiah is sad. Is he crazy? Doesn’t he know that it can cost him his life if he persists in this course of action? He doesn’t care. He feels sadness for Jerusalem that is destroyed and because his people have been greatly humiliated.
He cannot demonstrate his sadness in the presence of the king, but then again he cannot restrain his profound pain for the condition of his people and his land. When the kings asks him the reason for his sadness, Nehemiah is fearful; he knows he is as good as dead…only God’s divine intervention can save him from a sure death.
“Why is your face saddened? Our GREAT KING asks us today.
If Nehemiah could not be sad while he was serving in the presence of the King of Persia, how can we be sad in the presence of Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords?
There is a beautiful hymn, which chorus sings:
“His eyes are on the sparrow, and I know He watches me”
This hymn exhorts us to be happy in the presence of our King Jesus Christ. In his
Presence, sadness cannot dwell. In his Presence, there is no room for anxiety, doubts or fears. He
has given us eternal life and precious promises in his Word. He has the answer to all our problems and his
mercy and strength fortify us.
Is there a reason to keep us sad?
