Ezra 9:1-5 (English Standard Version)

Ezra 9

Ezra Prays About Intermarriage

 1After these things had been done, the officials approached me and said, "The people of Israel and the priests and the^(A) Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands^(B) with their abominations, from the^(C) Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. 2^(D) For they have taken some of their daughters to be wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the^(E) holy race^[a] has^(F) mixed itself with the peoples of the lands. And in this faithlessness the hand of the officials and chief men has been foremost." 3As soon as I heard this, I^(G) tore my garment and my cloak and pulled hair from my head and beard and^(H) sat appalled. 4Then all who^(I) trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the faithlessness of the returned exiles, gathered around me while I sat^(J) appalled until the evening sacrifice. 5And at the^(K) evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting, with my garment^(L) and my cloak torn, and fell upon my knees^(M) and spread out my hands to the LORD my God,

Ezra took sin seriously!  He was grieved for his nation.  He took extreme action and was completely undone for his nation.  At very best, my nation is just as bad as his.  Truefully its probably much worse.  How much do I care?  A whole lot of people waste a whole lot of energy pacing back and forth and wondering if we're going to make it through this economy, through this political landscape, etc.  That's completely the wrong thing to be consumed with!  I ought to be consumed, but not by that.  I ought to be grieved for my nation knowing that we stand on a precipice - perhaps like never before.  What does God have for me to do today?  I must get busy knowing I may not have more time.