Sadness Turned to Joy

O. T. #1847 "Sadness Turned to Joy"

Dec. 24, 2020

Summary of Lamentations

LET IT GLOW

Christmastime is not a joyful time for everyone. But there is hope for the downtrodden-Jesus Christ, who came to earth as a baby, grew to be a man, and wants to be our Savior, Messiah, Redeemer, our Righteousness. Noel, Emmanuel, Dayspring has come to give us everlasting life, to give us strength to carry on, growing faith. So if you are sad this holiday, take hope. We are the apple of His eye. His love and mercy is new every morning. So let your sadness be turned to joy through Jesus.

One thing I like to do after finishing a study a book of the Bible is to do a summary of what we have learned and scriptures that are gold nuggets. Although Lamentations is a book of Jeremiah's lamentations. He was grieving, hurt, and broken over the sufferings of his people. They, too, were in mourning and lamentation (groaning; sorrow) according to 2:5, for the Lord had become their enemy in the form of  the Babylonian army. Jeremiah wrote this in light of the fall and siege of Jerusalem. Thus, he is called "the weeping prophet."

Yet, there was hope in God because His mercies are seen even in the midst of judgment. If His people will return to Him in repentance, God will return to them and limit, or even reverse, the consequences of their disobedience. God is ready to show mercy when we repent and return to Him. That is encouragement. (Tony Evans)

The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against His commandment... (1:18) A true sign of repentance is to justify God and condemn oneself. Righteous (tsaddiyq/tsad-deek') means just; lawful in the Hebrew language. God is just in doing what He does. However, we are not righteous, so we must be clothed in the righteousness of Jesus when we come before a Just and Righteous God.

... let not the apple of Thine eye cease. (2:18) In this verse, apple refers to a son, daughter, grandchildren, in relationship. Are you one of God's children?

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness. (3:22-23) Things might be bad right now, but they could have been worse. God could snap His fingers and zap us in death, and justifiably so since we sin everyday. Yet, He is compassionate, faithful, and merciful. Since we are breathing right now, we are experiencing those gifts from our God. Do I hear an amen?

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore I will hope in Him. (3:24) Is your hope in Jesus? Is He your all-sufficient happiness this season, your portion?

The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. (3:25) As the wise men sought the Savior so they could worship Him and give Him gifts, are we seeking Jesus today to worship Him only and give Him our heart? Although difficulties have come to us all this year in some form or other, we can say it is good for us. Yes good, because it turns us to our God.

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. (3:26) Isn't God so gracious to us? He share our load. We should be quietly waiting for the return of Jesus as the King.

Does God seem far away to you? Take comfort in verse 31-For the Lord will not cast off forever. We may feel cast down, but we are not cast off. This too shall pass. Do we need reminded in these dark days that Jesus is the light of the world? So do not fear-hope is here.

LET IT GROW

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens. (3:40) God is just a prayer away. He hears us when we pray. Instead of focusing on others to lay blame upon them, we must be honest with our self, we sin. Then turn from our sin and to the Lord again.

O Lord, Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; Thou hast redeemed my life. (3:58) Is Jesus your Redeemer? He has paid our sin debt and offers us redemption through His blood. Has Jesus rescued your soul from hell? Then that is reason enough to rejoice!

In 5:20, we find our reason to endure whatever comes our way-Under His shadow we shall live among the heathen. May we bear fruit of the Spirit this Christmas season as we live in this world.

Lastly, pray as Jeremiah did in 5:21, Turn Thou us unto Thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old. Are we in need of a spiritual renewal? Has the hustle and bustle got us in a frinzy?

LET IT GO

There is hope for the believer in Jesus. He does not leave us nor forsake us. He is our comfort and peace. There is hope for every season and Jesus is the reason. Jesus is faithful to chasten, forgive, sympathize, deliver, and keep us in this life, looking forward to eternity with our Savior and Messiah. Jesus is the Faithful One.

Let us confess our sins today, repenting, and looking to the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Merry Christmas to you and your family. I am honored that you are a part of studying the Word with me.