This illustration goes with the previously published Christian comic regarding Ezra and his frustrations with people breaking God’s commands. After going through an short spell of righteous anger, Ezra got on his knees and began to pray for the people as well as himself.
With great sorrow, he started the prayer with powerful words that fully recognized the obvious sins and guilt. Ezra prayed: “I am too ashamed and disgraced, my God, to lift up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens.” (Ezra 9:6)
Imagine that if we could actually see sins and guilt, it might look like this illustration…sad, lost souls wandering around life aimlessly. Because of his devotion to God, Ezra took the responsibility to pray for others and seek the Lord’s forgiveness. Do you recall the last time that you’ve asked God to forgive others as well as yourself?
Interesting. I am not sure I can ask God to forgive others for their sin. They have to seek that on their own. I do think I can ask God to show them their sin and ask him to give them godly sorrow that leads to true repentance though.