August 26, 2017. Lamentations 3:37-5.

 

Let’s read (Lamentations 3:40, 41) Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the LORD; 41. Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven.

This looks like a reminder of how to pray:

1. Sincere confession and acknowledgment of sin.
2. Sincere repentance of sin.
3. Sincere sharing of our petitions.

The prophet tells us to examine ourselves. Our hearts and our hands lifted up to heaven when we pray, as we turn back to the LORD, and ask for His mercy, as we bind ourselves in a covenant to be the LORD’s only.

Why? The LORD controls the punishment for sin, to His very own, for the simple purpose of discipline; and to the ungodly for their punishment. (Lamentations 3:39) Why should a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?

The prophet had acknowledge that the people had rebelled against God, and it was clear they had not repented, so this was the cause of their misery.

(Lamentations 3:44) You have covered yourself with a cloud, that prayer should not pass through. 

Oh that we would be in a continual attitude of humility and evaluation of our words and deeds before our Creator. A repentant heart that won’t allow the clouds to hide the Son from us.

Because…. (Psalm 66:18) If I regard iniquity (go astray) in my heart, the LORD will not hear.

As we continue our reading in chapter 4, we see that the temple (God’s sanctuary) was destroyed because of the fall of Jerusalem. 

(Lamentations 4:1) How the gold has become dim! How changed the fine gold! The stones of the sanctuary are scattered at the head of every street. 

Gold is the most valued of all metals, and can be molded, shaped, refined, and is highly valued. God’s people are considered the real treasure here as well as His church. God’s dwelling place is in us as His people. 

Lift our eyes Lord…You the keeper of our hearts! So we won’t grow dim because of sin, but be changed and refined by and for You, as individuals, and as Your church!

In chapter 5 we see the reality of bondage and the awful conditions of captivity in Jerusalem. The joy was gone, and their dancing had instead turned to a heavy sadness. (Lamentations 5:15) The joy of our heart has ceased; our dance has turned to mourning.

Isn’t that what sin in our life does? It can hold us captive in bondage, causing awful conditions if not guarded carefully. Sin can rob us of our joy, and in the end cause a deep sadness.

When we choose to take the steps to restoration, and turn back to the LORD….WE WILL BE RENEWED & RESTORED!! 

He is mindful of our situations when we share and plea our brokenness to a heavenly Father, that has His arms are opened wide for us! You see, that’s who God is…ever faithful and unchangeable! 

Let Him cover all our sin…as we examine our ways!