August 25, 2017. Lamentations 1-3:36.

 

(Lamentations 1:1) How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow is she, who was great among the nations! The princess among the provinces has become a slave.

The first verses in chapter 1 in Lamentations gives us the sad image of destruction and the affliction of Jerusalem. We read of the misery of the Jewish nation as they have become slaves and captives of their enemies. The people endured the heaviness of famine and distress.

In this sad condition Jerusalem acknowledges her sin, and we see a turning point.

(Lamentations 1:18) The LORD is righteous, for I rebelled against His commandments. Hear now, all peoples, and behold my sorrow; my virgins and my young men have gone into captivity.

We see the evil of sin, and we can learn from the sufferings of the people of Jerusalem. There was a great sorrow for sin, so much so that it affected the very soul.

(Lamentations 1:20) See, O LORD, that I am in distress; my soul is troubled; my heart is overturned within me, for I have been very rebellious. Outside the sword bereaves, at home it is like death.

The very word Lamentations means an expression of great sorrow or deep sadness.

Even though God was angry with His people and corrected them, He was not an enemy to His people. He had removed His hand of protection when the people lowered themselves to the deterioration of corrupt sin.

God is a keeper of His word and promises. (Lamentations 2:17) The LORD has done what He purposed; He has fulfilled His word which He commanded in days of old. He has thrown down and has not pitied, and He has caused an enemy to rejoice over you; He has exalted the horn of your adversaries.

The LORD warned His people against disobedience in (Deuteronomy 28:15) But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statues which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you.

What do we do when we reach the low points of despair? How do we hold on to our faith in the middle of sorrow and pain?

(Lamentations 3:21~26) 21.This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. 22. Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. 23. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 24. “The LORD is my portion”, says my soul, “therefore I hope in Him!” 25. The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. 26. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

We choose to Hold on to Faith because His loving kindness is great above the heavens. The Creator of heaven and earth, who created the sun that lights your day, also created the moon that can shine in your darkest hour.