Day 228

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Jeremiah Weeps


Lamentations Introduction

Jeremiah the prophet had warned the people of Judah for years of their impending doom if they would not repent. When his prophecies were fulfilled and Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians, Jeremiah wrote Lamentations, a funeral dirge for a city. Written in five poems, this is probably the saddest book of the Bible. However, Jeremiah saw ultimate reason and hope beyond the ruins of his city. His God is sovereign—after all, he had described this judgement years before—and he is gracious. In his faithful mercy Jerusalem will be restored.

Scripture

August 15—Lamentations 1-5: Tears for the Toppled City

Observation

The battle at last is over. For forty years Jeremiah has warned that judgment is coming unless the people change their wicked ways. But his persistent pleas have met with only hardhearted indifference. Now the nation is gone, utterly destroyed by the brutal Babylonians. The book of Lamentations is the tear-stained diary of the prophet as he weeps over the toppled city. But suddenly, in the midst of his tears, Jeremiah sounds a note of triumph, "Great is God's faithfulness" (3:23). Things may look tragic for the nation and the prophet but the Lord's "lovingkindness begins afresh each day" (3:22-23).

Application

Put yourself in this unsavory situation for a moment. Another person is trying to hurt you, embarrass you, or degrade you. He/she has spread untrue rumors about you, talking about you behind your back and even turning some of your friends against you. Then the news comes. Calamity has struck your antagonist—a serious illness, a car accident, a financial reversal. What do you do now? (a) You respond, "he/she had it coming!" (b) You weep.

Nowhere is Jeremiah's willingness to serve more evident than during the times when he cried (Jeremiah 9:1, 10; 13:17; 22:10; 48:32; Lamentation 1:16). It's easy to offer condemnation when someone who "has it coming" experiences tragedy; it takes a miracle of God's power to offer consolation instead. As your prayer project for the day, select an individual who is as much in line for your anger as for your intercession. Confess any thoughts of revenge you may be harboring. Then look for an unexpected action of love you can do on that person's behalf. You'll be modeling, not just mouthing, the words of Jesus when he said, "Love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44).

Prayer

Dear Lord, we want to thank you and praise you for the mercy and grace you show us each day. You saved us not because of righteous things we have done but because of Your mercy. So in our walk with you we learn to forgive those who do us wrong. We pray for our enemies hoping they will come to you and learn how to forgive and forget and receive your mercy as well. We also need you to help us to be a light to others while we devote our life and all that we are to you and for them to choose this day to serve you as well. We pray this in your precious name, our Savior Jesus Christ! Amen!

Forgiven!


© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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