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.

Sharing the Gift of Jesus

O. T. #1846  "Sharing the Gift of Jesus"

Dec. 23, 2020

Lamentations 5

LET IT GLOW

So time is close for us to finish our gift shopping. (My husband procrastinates.) But as we go out into the world, may we give the gift of Jesus to others along our way. So many need joy in their life.

Jerusalem was under siege for two years, then Babylon conquered it. The city wall sealed the people inside without food and water. It was so gruesome that the people engaged in the practice of cannibalism on their own children. (4:10) But they had brought these consequences of their sin upon themselves. (4:11) However, they had been forewarned by Jeremiah this was coming. If only they had repented of their sin of idolatry and turned; if only they had heeded Jeremiah's words and surrendered to Babylon then they would not have been is such a condition of famine. So those who remained in Jerusalem, all of them-children, women, princes, elders, and young men suffered terribly. (5:11-13) During that time, their enemies ate up their crops outside the walls of Jerusalem while waiting on their surrender.

Finally, in their broken condition, the Hebrews stop rationalizing their sin and take full responsibility for their disobedience. Acknowledging our sin is the first step to healing.

 In verse 16b they said, woe unto us, that we have sinned. They recognized that the cause of all their suffering was sin. So many  are suffering due to their sins. (Some suffer because they are doing God's will and evil attacks them, although.)

For this our heart is faint; for these things our eyes are dim. (verse 17) The Jews looked to other nations to help them, to their false priests, to their themselves, to no avail. Folks, God will do whatever it takes to bring His wandering child back to Him. When He does, we need to look to Him in repentance. His lovingkindness, grace, and mercy do not fail. Do we know someone in need of the Savior's forgiveness this season?

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) Have you received this wonderful gift?

If you are a straying Christian, there is good news-For whom the LORD loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receveth. (Hebrews 12:6)

Jesus can give us peace that passeth all understanding.

LET IT GROW

Despite of their sinful past, God restored these people when they returned to him. Their hope was only found in the Lord. Our grief should turn us toward Him, not away. Is Jesus your hope today?

 Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

Restore us, O LORD, and bring us back to You again! Give us back the joys we once had! (verse 21)

Who are we looking to this Christmas season?  Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31)

Like the father of the prodigal son, He is waiting for forgive and renew you. (Luke 15:11-32)  

We are told that God brought a remnant of believers from Israel and Judah back to Jerusalem to rebuild the city, the Temple, and their homes. (book of Nehemiah) Certainly their joy was restored. Do you need joy restored and renewed in your heart and life today? Jesus is the answer, friend. He left heaven to come down to earth in the form of a baby, to grow in wisdom as a boy, then to endure the cross, and rise from the dead in order to give us hope of eternal life. Is your faith placed in Jesus?              

 

LET IT GO

Thank You Jesus for being my Savior! I honor, praise, and worship You today as the only King, Savior, God.

Renew our strength to carry on, endure, and love others as You love us.

Jesus is the reason for the season.

May God bless you and your family this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas ya'll !

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!

Afflictions Will Pass

O. T. #1844 "Afflictions Will Pass"

Dec. 21, 2020

Lamentations 3-Part 3

For the LORD will not cast off for ever: But though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. (verses 31-33)

LET IT GLOW

When we are in deep waters of affliction, remember it will pass.  

Here are three certainties of comfort for the afflicted according to Liberty Bible Commentary:

1. There will be an end to the sorrow. (verse 31)
2. God shows compassion according to the fullness of grace. (verse 32)
3. God does not delight to send sorrow and pain to His children, but chastisement is a necessary part of spiritual growth. (verse 33)

Is our hope in God? Putting our hope in God isn't passive but active. Those who hope in God wait for Him, seek Him, and receive His discipline. Jeremiah knew God's covenant of love; he knew God would not reject His people forever. Although He causes suffering if necessary, He will show compassion according to the abundance of His faithful love. (The Tony Evans Bible Commentary)

The Hebrew word for mercies is used about 250 times in the OT. It refers to God's gracious love. It is compasses love, grace, mercy, goodness, forgiveness, truth, compassion, and faithfulness. His incredible faithfulness always endured so that Judah would not be destroyed forever. (Malachi 3:6) The bedrock of faith is the reality that God keeps all His promises according to His truthful, faithful character. (The MacArthur Bible Commentary)

LET IT GROW

Verse 40-41 says, 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.

We should endure suffering patiently and without protest, since nothing can happen to us without God's knowledge, according to Romans 8:28. Do we complain when punishment comes due to our sins? Should-a hard thing to do isn't it?

Search and try our ways, thus returning to Jesus. We are to hope in God's mercy.  

LET IT GO

After repentance, let us praise our God who shows mercy to us sinners.

Lift up our heart with our hands unto our God.

Mercies and Compassion

O. T. #1843 "Mercies and Compassion"

Dec. 18, 2020

Lamentations 3-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Jeremiah remembered the unfailing love of God while feeling abandoned, oppressed, humiliated, and bitter. What he learned during his darkest hour can provide us with hope and encouragement during our times of distress-even when those periods are due to our own rebellion against God.

We see the brokenness of Jeremiah as he saw the affliction of his people (some died by the sword, others by a plague or famine). Then they were taken captive to Babylon, where they remained 70 years. It was due to the rod (club) of God's wrath to bring judgment on Judah. (verse 1)

Jeremiah grieves over his public mocking, emotional bitterness, deprived of peace, trampled underfoot, and stripped of happiness. (verses 14-17) We can understand how his strength has perished and his hope from the Lord. (verse 18) Such deep discouragement and weariness that a prophet of God experienced. Yet, whenever Jeremiah began focusing on God's divine compassion and faithfulness, we see a change in his writings.

 Verses 19-26 (NLT) says, The thought of my sufferings and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this:

The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease.                                              Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.                                                         I say to myself, "The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!"                                The LORD is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him.                                  So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD.  

 As we grieve, we can still have hope.   When we suffer, our God is so strong for us to turn to.  If we are having a hard time, we can be comforted that His compassion never fails. In our humiliation, God is our hope. Folks, we can depend on Him to get us through whatever circumstances we are in. So depend on Him, seek Him, and wait quietly for Him to work. Then give God praises and glory.  

[Resource: Liberty Bible Commentary]                           

LET IT GROW

Did you notice the word mercies in those scriptures? It is the Hebrew word checed (kheh'sed) which means kindness, pity; favor; good deed.                                              

What can we learn about God's mercies?

• It is the loyalty and devotion that God has in relationship to the covenant He has made with the Jews and us, which results in  Him showing us mercy.
• His mercy is limitless and can never fail.
• That is why we are not consumed, even though we sin and fail Him.
• His compassions (to love; find, have, obtain, show mercy) fail not.
• Great is His faithfulness. The fact that there still exists a remnant of His people proves it.

Three truths about the nature of God gave Jeremiah hope:                                                                    God's love never ends. (verse 22a) God's concern never fails. (verse 22b) God's faithfulness never diminishes. (verse 23b)

2 Timothy 2:13 says the Lord "remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself." What assurance we have in His unlimited grace, mercy, and trustworthiness! No wonder Jeremiah proclaimed the Lord was his portion (allotment; inheritance; part).

LET IT GO 

                     ...of oppression and bitterness and worry.

Seek God and His hope, mercies, compassion, salvation in Jesus.                                               Remember His mercies are new every morning.                                                                                          Place your hope in Jesus.                                                                                                                   Quietly wait for Him.                                                                                                                            Keep praying, studying the Bible, trusting in Jesus, for His compassions fail not.                              Share the love of God today.

                                                                                                                                                   

O. T. #1842 " Do You Have Hope?"

Dec. 17, 2020

Lamentations 3

LET IT GLOW

Do you have hope as an end comes to such a crazy year? How are you handling things when the world seems upside down? In what do you place your hope for a better today, tomorrow, future?

Things were dark for Jeremiah and his nation. He was under a double load of grief as he spoke of Jerusalem's destruction and recalled his physical scars, as well as emotional scars from his faithful ministry to a people who refused to listen. Jeremiah was the most hated man in Judah whom everyone wanted gone. Ever felt that way?

Don't you know Jeremiah was feeling abandoned, oppressed, humiliated, and bitter? With that setting set, most of us can understand his feelings. We have lost people we loved, or a house we enjoyed living in is gone, or we are let go at our job, or family changes occurr. A feeling of hopelessness sets in as with this prophet. However, hope returned to Jeremiah when he controlled his thoughts, turning them toward God. God's compassions fail not. His unfailing love for us continues no matter our circumstances.

Five times in this chapter Jeremiah mentions the word hope  with various meanings. Let's look at those:

• Verse 18-And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD. Everything Jeremiah hoped for from the Lord is lost! This kind of hope means expectation. Jeremiah was not expecting peace and prosperity in Judah, as his strength perished.
• Verses 21 and 24 have the same meaning-This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. This kind of hope refers to wait; to be patient; stay; tarry; trust. Now we see a change in Jeremiah. He is waiting and trusting in the LORD.
• Verse 26-It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. This kind of hope means to dance; to wait. When we wait on the Lord and seek Him, then we should get up and dance with joy.
• Verse 29-He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there be may be hope. This kind of hope is a cord (an attachment); thing that I long for. This person is throwing their self on the found in silent confession of unworthiness.  There is hope at last-hope in Jesus, the thing we long for above all things; our King and our Lord.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. We can sum it up with Romans 8:23-25, which says, And not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits-we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. Now in this hope we are saved, yet hope that is seen is not hope  because who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience. (Life Application Study Bible)

 I hope this has uplifted you, friend, as it has me.

LET IT GROW

How can we grow through adversity? Charles Swindoll explains in his study guide, The Lamentations of Jeremiah:

• Wait patiently seeking out God in prayer. (verses 23,25)
• Wait silently for the Lord to deliver us from suffering and to ultimately restore us. (verse26) We are to learn whatever God has for us as we endure our painful experience and trial.
• Submit willingly to God's providence. The Lord will not reject forever. (verses27-31)

Receive God's love, friend. Make Him your hope as you wait patiently, silently, and willingly for Him to deliver you. After all, we have hope of everlasting life in heaven.

LET IT GO

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee. Hearts unfold like flowers before You. Joyful we adore You, King Jesus.

In this world we will have trouble, but take heart, Jesus has overcome the world.

Whatever we suffer in this world will be worth it after all when we see Jesus.

Be faithful, full of hope in Jesus, finish the fight and walk with hope, for there are some good things awaiting us in heaven.

O. T. #1841 "What is Wonderful in Your Life?"

Dec. 16, 2020

Lamentations 2

LET IT GLOW

What is wonderful in your life right now? On Sunday something wonderful happened. We received several inches of snow. Now that may be not an unusual occurrence to you because of where you live, but it is for me. It has been about 8 years for us to get so much. Oh we have had a spit of snow that melted the same day it came, but nothing like this lately. When I was a kid, we had snow every winter. The trees are white with snow, the ground hidden beneath, the air is crisp and cold. What a beautiful scenery to behold! Thank You Jesus for sending it our way. How wonderful are Your deeds and blessings!

So encouragement came to me as I read Billy Graham's devotional, Wisdom For Each Day, and thought it was so good that I must share it:

My dictionary defines wonderful as anything that is so unusual or magnificent that it causes wonder and amazement. Jesus was wonderful in His life. He mingled with sinners, yet His enemies could find not one single flaw in His character. His miracles and His teaching both testified to His divine authority. Christ was also wonderful in His death. He died for others just as He had lived for others: To make our salvation possible. and this death led to the wonderful, glorious Resurrection, opening for us the door to Heaven and eternal life. Jesus is wonderful indeed!

He will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.    (Isaiah 9:6) 

Well, after reading chapter 2, I think we all could use some wonderful news.

Wonderful refers to remarkable: secret in the Hebrew language.

Isn't Jesus the most wonderful thing that has happened us you and me! Truly He is remarkable!

 

LET IT GROW

Shall we dig into this chapter? There are about 40 descriptions of divine judgment affecting every aspect of Jewish life, but are not going to get into them. No, I found a good study guide, "The Lamentations of Jeremiah" by Charles Swindoll. He points out 5 consequences of disobedience of God's child when they go their own way, as Judah did:

• Diminishing of one's dignity and unique impact. God destroyed the homes and strongholds of this once beautiful city, and profaned the kingdom and princes. (verses 1-2) The sins of her people have brought her shame and have removed her godly influence from among the nations.
• Removal of one's stability and vitality. God allowed Judah's enemies to be His instrument of judgment. (verse 3) His wrath consumed the Jews like fire. (verse 4) He tore Judah's foundation out from under her.
• Multiplication of inner anguish. The Lord and Protector became their enemy. (verse 5) (He destroyed their Tabernacle, wall, and the law.)
• Feelings of abandonment and emptiness.(verses 6-8) God destroyed His appointed meeting place; feasts and the Sabbath  were no longer celebrated; the kings and priests had no place to serve; their palaces and walls were gone.
• Heartbreaking absence of vision and purposes. (verses 9-10) The prophets had no visions; the elders had no purpose, but mourned.

 Soul Searching Questions: Has your lifestyle, or others in your circle, marred your integrity? Is our life different from non-Christians? Do we stick with our decisions? Has your character lost its charm? Are we compromising with sin? Are our loved ones suffering because of our failure to walk with God? Has sin begun to destroy our happiness, vitality, and spirituality? Are we praying less, attending church services sporadically, experiencing empty worship? Have you lost your godly perspective and sense of purpose for living?  Is God taking you to the woodshed?

God's grace, mercy, and faithfulness has not changed, dear one. When we are disciplined by Him, it is because He loves us and wants us to do right.

Look at verses 17 and 18. The LORD hath done that which He had devised; He hath fulfilled His word that He had commanded in the days of old...

...let not the apple of thine eye cease.

LET IT GO

Jesus, You are Wonderful.

You do amazing and remarkable things.

Forgive us when we stray off the path You have for us, wandering into sin.

Keep us under the shadow of Your wing and the apple of Your eye.

O. T. #1840 "Everlasting Joy and Tears"

Dec. 15, 2020

Lamentations 1

LET IT GLOW

What causes your tears? So many things like broken hearts, sorrow over loosing a loved one, rejection, job loss, pain, a terminal illness, financial troubles, addictions, missing family and friends; the list can go on. The thing is, we are not alone in these tearful times, yet we may alone.

What makes a person cry says a lot about that person-whether they are self-centered or God-centered. Jeremiah let the tears flow from a broken heart. He was God's spokesman concerning Judah's future. It wasn't over personal loss or suffering that made him weep, but the people's rejection of their God, the One who made them, loved them, and repeatedly blessed them. They were tears of sympathy and empathy, not selfishness. This servant of God was broken by his care for the people and his nation and his devotion to God.  (Life Application Study Bible)

Even though this book is a dirge, a funeral song written for the fallen  city of Jerusalem, we can still find joy. so please continue with us through only 5 chapters. 

Warren Wiersbe gives us a few lessons about God and His will:

*The Awfulness of God's Judgments (1:1-6)

*The Righteousness of God's Wrath (1:18-22)

*The Tenderness of God's Heart  (1:12-16) 

Jerusalem was once a rich princess or queen, but suddenly left alone as a widow. Her wealthy and beauty turned to poverty; she was once full, but now empty; her honor turned to disgrace; her joy was replaced with tears; her great victories turned to defeat. Jerusalem lost her joy, wealth, and beauty, but also lost her testimony, Jerusalem turned from loving her God to loving idols.

Why did God allow His people to go into captivity? To teach them to trust Him and obey His Word. God warned Israel not to follow false gods. He even sent prophets to warn them of the consequences. They had to yield to God's chastening hand and trust His mercy. (verse 22) Confession of sin is better than continuous rebellion. Whom the Lord loves He chastens. His love never changes.

Jerusalem is unclean. (verse 17)

The LORD is righteous: for I have rebelled against His commandment. (verse 18)                                                                                 

 LET IT GROW

How do we obtain everlasting joy?

Isaiah 35:10 tells us: And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

When we have strayed for serving Jesus, from loving Him wholeheartedly, from spending time in prayer and Bible study, we find no joy. But in returning to Him and confessing our sins, we receive a clean heart, which fills us with songs of joy, everlasting joy and gladness. Sure we may have our moments of missing loved ones, but ultimately our sorrow will turned to joy in Jesus.

LET IT GO

Give our problems and trials, our sorrows and hurts to Jesus.

Let Him fill us with everlasting joy.

O. T. #1839  "Weeping"

Dec. 14, 2020

Introduction to Lamentations

God is so good! I just have to share what He has done for us lately. Since we live in the country, we use propane for heat in our old country house. This year we installed a new heating unit on the wall, which works well and is wonderful. We don't have the mess to clean up in the pellet stone and my husband does not hurt his shoulder carrying in the 40 pound bags of pellets. So I ordered a filling of the propane tank on the 2nd, since we still had 20% left to use. (On the third try, I finally got a contact at the office to order it.) Well, we didn't get it. (Normally 3 days is all we have to wait.) My husband called them twice last week, without any delivery resulting. All this time I have been praying to the Lord to send us the gas, for nothing is impossible with God. There was snow and freezing temperatures coming and we did not need our pipes to freeze in this old house. Still no delivery. (If we had to, we could spend the nights at our son's house.) Finally, I called again since they would not deliver on Saturday. It was delivered on the 11th. I keep shouting out a big thank you to Jesus for the gas to heat our house! He came through at the last day. He always comes through for me! How awesome is our God! (Guess my faith was tested. I did all I could do and had to depend on was God to come through. And He did just that.) Have you experienced the faithfulness of God coming through in the last minute? If you are right there, have faith, for that is our God! Case all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.

This reminded me of the story of the widow (1Kings 17) who was almost out of meal and oil. She had just enough for her son and herself to eat their last meal during a 3 year drought. The Lord told Elijah visited her and ask for a drink of water and bread to eat. She made a little cake, sacrificing the last for herself and son to eat before they would die. Her obedience was rewarded and the meal and oil did not run out until the rains came. Isn't that our God! He knows our needs before we ask. Now let's look at our new book of study-Lamentations.

Author

Although his name is not mentioned, ancient Jewish tradition holds that the prophet Jeremiah wrote it. He saw the destruction of the walls, tower, homes, palace in Jerusalem and Judah, as well as the Temple. He wrote it before he was forced to depart to Egypt. (chapter 43)

Since Jeremiah wept over his country and people, he is known as the "Weeping Prophet."

Background

The form that Jeremiah used to relate the content was that of poetry. He wrote using acrostics using a new letter in the Hebrew alphabet in the arrangement.

Jeremiah spent many years prophesying the destruction coming of  Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian army if the people did not repent of idolatry and immorality, turning back to worshiping God. Since they did not heed the prophet's warnings, He wept when all was destroyed in his country, burnt to the ground and taken away, shortly after 586 BC.

This book is recited by Jews at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem every Friday in this modern times. Roman Catholics have designated the last three days of Holy Week as a special time to read this book.

John MacAuthur gives us five themes found in the this book of Lamentations: 

1. God's judgment came in response to Judah's sin.
2. Hope was found in God's compassion and faithfulness.
3. God's grace is experienced as Jeremiah moves from lamentation to consolation.
4. Because the hope of Israel's salvation and fulfillment of God's promises (3:18) and appears in the form of prayer.
5. Jeremiah's tears relate to Jesus' weeping over the same city of Jerusalem. (Matt. 23)
6. Since God did not hesitate to judge His beloved people, what will He do to the nations of the world who reject His Word? 

We know that God kept His promises as He provided for a believing remnant during the 70 years of captivity in Babylon. They were allowed to return to Jerusalem and built the city and the Temple.

The First Lament-The ruined city of Jerusalem (1:1-22)

Here we can picture a desolate man of God sitting amid the ashes of the once-great and once-holy city of Jerusalem, weeping over its destruction and exile of the people who had ignored decades of warnings and calls for repentance from the Lord.

Jerusalem seems to be crying out to Jeremiah in her sorrow. So Jeremiah records her laments as she lies in ruins and unfaithfulness to God.

In verse 1-2, how is Jerusalem describe?

• A solitary (separate, alone, desolate) city
• Once a princess, now a widow; she weeps bitterly during the night with no one to comfort her because false gods and lovers had become her enemies.
• Once was a great super-power among the nations, now nothing.
• She became a tributary (a burden; a tax in the form of forced labor; a levy).

What a sad sight to behold. Sorrow and pain can steal our joy. The Lord does not look at crying the same way people do (not manly to cry). weeping may last for a night, but comes in the morning. Even Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus. Psalm 56:8 tells us that He remembers and preserves our tears.

Are you facing a fork in the road that requires a decision-to walk with God in the power of His Spirit or with sin in the strength of your flesh? Don't live for the present without regard for the future; commit yourself to serving God today and forever. (Swindoll)

My fear doesn't stand a chance when I stand in God's love. (As the song goes) Things can be taken away, but we can find strength in Jesus. Stand in surrender to Jesus and He will fill us with His Spirit.