Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Lamentations Chapters 3-5

3:19-24 - All the horrible things that have been described in the book of Lamentations so far, paint a pretty bleak picture for the Jewish people. I love that in the midst of pain, suffering and judgment, the author still has the faithfulness to believe that God is a God of compassionate love. When everything is falling apart (Usually due to our own sinful choices, or those of others around us), there is only God to turn to. He is the only one that can provide the strength that we need. Sadly, it is in the times of greatest need that people often choose to blame God and turn from Him.

3:25 and 26 - This reminds me of King Saul, who refused to wait. Early in his reign as king he was going off to war and wanted Samuel the prophet to make sacrifices and cry out to God for their army. Samuel was delayed in coming, so instead of waiting, Saul just made the sacrifices himself (Something he wasn't supposed to do). He refused to wait on God...just decided to do his own thing. How often does that describe the way you choose to act? As is clear in the second half of verse 25, waiting does not mean doing nothing. Waiting on the Lord means seeking God with your heart and soul and listening where He is calling us to go. Before you make huge decisions and determine how you are going to respond to something - wait on God...cry out to Him.

3:32 and 33 - This is something that we all need to understand...though God is allowing His people to be punished for their sins, this does not mean that He is not compassionate. This passage says that He does not willingly afflict His people...He unwillingly does what He has to do for the good of His people. He does what needs to be done because He loves them so much. If punishment is the only thing that will make stubborn people see the error of their ways...God is willing to punish (Like any loving parent would).

3:39 - If you are alive and blood is pumping through your veins, you really have nothing to complain about. Your life is a gift from God...something He allowed you to have today - life! Everyone deserves death for their sins and their disrespect towards God, but instead we receive grace through Jesus Christ! Yet another undeserved gift we receive. Our sinful actions will always have dire consequences and there is no one to blame but ourselves. I think the author is trying to tell us something - "Stop whining and turn back to God!"

3:55-57 - When you have hit rock bottom...when you are in the depths, there is only one place to turn - God. God is our strength...God is our refuge...we do not have to fear because we have God with us. I personally really need to hear this verse today...I have been struggling with some doubts and needed this reassurance. I open the Word today and come to this verse and God is whispering to my soul..."Do not fear, I am with you." Thank you Lord!

4:10 - Again the utter defilement of the people is illustrated by the fact that during the siege of Jerusalem, women have begun to boil their own babies and eat them as food to survive. That is so sick I don't want to believe it! These innocent babies are forced to pay for the sinful selfishness of their families. I want to know where the fathers are...where are the leaders standing up and demanding that these atrocities stop? They are nowhere to be found, and you start to understand why these people needed to be judged by God.

4:22 - God always takes a strong stance against sin - it is in His nature. Sin is like an attack on God Himself and the creation that He put in place...it must be fought against...it must be destroyed. When we choose to sin, we are setting ourselves in opposition to God. As Christians today, we cannot allow ourselves to think that sin is trivial because of the sacrifice of Jesus. There are people that believe that! There are people that believe that they can basically do whatever they want because God loves them and Jesus died for them. Well, I would suggest that they come and read Lamentations. I would suggest that they read Hebrews 10:26 and following. When we trivialize sin in our lives, we are trivializing the sacrifice of Jesus Christ...and I promise you...you don't want to be in that camp!

No comments: