When the Bottom Falls Out

O. T. #1845  "When the Bottom Falls Out"

Dec. 22, 2020

Lamentations 4

LET IT GLOW

What do you do when the bottom falls out? When things are removed from your life that are precious to you, where do you go? If you or a loved one has had the bottom drop our of their life and they are devastated, read on friend. There is an answer.

So far we have read about Jeremiah the prophet who sits amid the once-great and once-holy city of Jerusalem, weeping over its desolation and the people who ignored his warnings and call to repentance of the Lord. He wrote of God's judgment on Jerusalem, words of anguish and hope, then its devastated people.Lastly, will be his prayer for the people of Judah in chapter 5.

Before we get into that, we can find some good from Charles Swindoll in his book, The Lamentations of Jeremiah, as he gives us two valuable lessons we can learn while suffering-whether or not it is a result of our prior personal sin:

• Sudden devastation is often the beginning of a process of reconstruction. The Lord does not build on impure or weak foundations. Whatever He cannot purify, He destroys and rebuilds. Either process can be intensely painful. but that is the only way we can receive His best and become truly happy.
• Behind the pain of human calamity is the faithful presence of God. The Lord may seem distant-even uncaring-when the bottom drops out of our lives. but if we are members of His forever family, we cannot be abandoned by Him.

In Hebrews 13:5b, God says, I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you. As believers, we can find comfort in the fact that we cannot be separated from the infinite love of God. Nothing can take us away from the Lord. Once we are His, we are His forever. Romans 8:35-39 reassures us. Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Dear one, have you asked Jesus to be your Savior? Ask Him to and He will. It is as simple as that. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be save; saved for eternity. It is not by works that we can do, but faith in Jesus as God's Son, who lived a perfect life, died in our place to take away the penalty of our sins. Then you will experience His love, strength, and peace that surpasses all understanding

LET IT GROW

What happens when the bottom falls out in our life? You may be experiencing calamities in the form of financial loss, love of a loved one in death, unwanted divorce, or personal suffering.

Like the Jews in Jerusalem, we may experience a catastrophe in our life through:

1. Unexpected turmoil-Jerusalem was burned down, the Temple was destroyed, and the walls were broken down. They were like broken pieces of pottery, this city of gold. They thought destruction could not take place, but it did.
2. Overwhelming circumstances-The false prophets and priests were corrupt and would not tell the truth of what was to happen in Judah if they did not repent of their sins. They became blind men in the streets, crying out for no one to touch them because of their wickedness. (verses 14-15) do you feel unworthy of forgiveness because of your sins? Just ask and Jesus will forgive.
3. Absence of comfort-No nation could help Judah against the Babylonian army, not even Egypt. (verse 17) Only God could help and rescue them, but He was punishing them for their wickedness of idolatry. He is the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
4. Inescapable situations-As the Jews tried to escape the Babylonian army, they could not. Their enemies pursued and slaughtered them. They were unable to escape, they became despondent. (verses 18-19) God is with us when we go through the waters and rivers, when we walk through the fire, we won't we scorched, for the flame will not burn us. (Isaiah 43:2) As you go through difficult days, Christ is here with you.
5. Involuntary exposure-The tragedy that befell the Jews uncovered their iniquities. When our sins are made known, Jesus forgives us, lifts us up, and sets our feet on the solid rock, the Rock of Jesus.

Has the bottom fallen out of your life? God knew this before it happened. What can you learn from this? Sometimes we fear, have insecurity, and are lonely. How can you get through this? Sometimes we have to hit rock bottom before we look up to the Savior. Trusting Jesus, that is all we can do (after confessing our sins). He can renew our mind and change our attitude, and fill us with hope and love.

LET IT GO

Jesus, You are the way, the truth, and the life. Show us the way for us to go, living for you. You know the truth of our situation, bring it to the top. Be our life, our joy, our reason for living.

Love others through us today.

Help us share the hope that we have within us.

Comfort all who read this. Jesus, Your compassions fail not. Your mercies are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. Great are You Lord Jesus!