Repent Before Darkness Deepens

Nehemiah teaches us how a righteous man begins: not with excuses, but with confession for himself and for his people. He does not stand apart from the ruin of Jerusalem as though another man’s sin were no concern of his. He fasts, prays, remembers the covenant, and pleads for mercy. So must the church pray when it sees desolation, whether in a city, a household, or its own life: “O Lord God, great, and strong, and dreadful, keeping Your covenant and mercy for them that love You and keep Your commandments, we have sinned, we have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly.”

Ecclesiastes joins this by teaching patience under authority and steadiness in evil times. Wisdom is not noisy. It does not rage because judgment is delayed. It keeps the oath of God, does good work, receives bread and drink with thanksgiving, and waits for the end that God appoints. Such wisdom gives a man a clear countenance, because obedience makes the life single.

Zechariah then lifts our eyes higher: the true builder of God’s house is the Branch, our Lord Jesus Christ. As Tertullian says, “Now, because Christ rather than any other was to build the temple of God, that is to say, a holy manhood, wherein God’s Spirit might dwell as in a better temple, Christ rather than David’s son Solomon was to be looked for as the Son of God.” If He builds the temple, we must not defile it.

For Revelation shows what comes of hardened impenitence: men are scourged, yet do not repent of idols, murders, sorceries, fornication, or thefts. Therefore repent early, while the altar still stands before God and prayer may yet rise. Better tears now than terror later.