Prophecy – Lamentations
TEARS! There are many different kinds of tears.
Tears of Joy. Tears of Sorrow. Tears of Laughter. Tears of Regret. Tears of Irritation. Tears of Pain…
We have spent the last few weeks reading the book of Jeremiah – the Weeping Prophet. Jeremiah was deeply griefed as his tears flowed from a broken heart. His beloved nation was doomed for destruction as God’s judgement will fall upon them.
Jeremiah wept not because he was self-centred or mourning over a personal loss or suffering. Instead, he wept because the people rejected their God – their God who loved them and repeatedly blessed them.
He wept over the hard hearts of the people who refused to turn from their wicked ways. He wept over their sins. He wept because his heart was broken with those things that break God’s heart.
You can say that the book of Jeremiah predicts the destruction of Judah, while the book of Lamentations looks back on it. It is like a funeral song written after the city had fallen.
What makes a person cry says a lot about a person – is he a self-cerntred or God-centred person?
So when we read the book of Lamentations, it helps us to see what made Jeremiah sorrowful. You can see his deep love for the nation and his devotion to God.
What makes you weep? Do you cry because you cannot get what you want? Or do you weep because the people around you sin against and reject God who loves them dearly?
Do you cry because you did not get the job you want? Or do you shed tears because you see the work of God left undone?
We are living in a world where we see great injustice around us. People are violent. Christians not acting like Christians. Selfishness is the name of the game.
But when you see all this, do they move you to tears and action? Read Lamentations and learn what it means to grieve with God.
Bible Passage: Lamentations
If I were to share all my feelings after reading this book, I am afraid it will take you the whole day to read it.
The words and tears of Jeremiah resonate strongly with me and it’s hard not to read Lamentations and reflect on what has happened and is happening in my life in Church right now.
I thought that I would just share a few of my takeaways from today’s passage.
Ignore God At You Own Peril
9 Her uncleanness is in her skirts;
She did not consider her destiny;
Therefore her collapse was awesome;
She had no comforter.Lamentations 1:9
The people of Judah had ample warnings of their destruction. However, they were proud and rebellious aganst God and ignored the joy and honour of being God’s people.
They should have been God’s pride and joy in the world but instead, have become an object of ridicule and despisement amongst the Gentiles.
The problem was the people of Judah failed to think through the consequences of their choices. For generations, they ignored the Law’s warnings against idolatory, oppressing the poor, cheating in business, relying on the aid of Gentiles for security and many other sins.
They maintained some semblance of worship by following temple rituals. But the reality was that they turned their back on God (Jeremiah 7:2-4).
God had not judged them immediately. Instead he had sent numerous prophets to warn His people about the impending disaster, but still they ignored them (2 Chronicles 36:15-16). As a result, they were shocked when the Babylonians finally came and destroyed their way of life.
What about us today? Have we considered where we are with our own lives and are we ignoring God’s Words and warnings as well?
Because God Will Do What He Says
17 The LORD has done what He purposed;
He has fulfilled His word
Which He commanded in days of old….Lamentations 2:17
When you read the History books, it seemed that the fall of Jerusalem was a real surprise to the people.
And yet, the real surprise is that they did not recognise that it was coming!
But the tragic outcome could have been avoided if they have heeded God’s Words. But since they did not, God did what He said He would (Lamentations 2:17).
In the same way today, we have also received many warnings about our actions, behaviour and character as we draw closer and closer to the last days. The words of the Bible have been written down for our learning (Rom 15:4).
We can choose to ignore it. But that does not mean that God will still not do what He said He will do. Many examples before us have shown us the way.
Remember, ignorance is not bliss.
I like Romans 15:4 very much because it says…
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope
That’s why we must draw nearer to God through the Scriptures. For through patience and comfort of it, we might have hope.
God’s Unfailing Mercy – Our Only Hope
The shock of the destruction of Jerusalem must be one of the most crushing blows to the people of Judah. Many were killed and many were starving, living in utter despair.
But as always, God offers hope.
One thing kept hope alive – knowledge of the mercies of the Lord.
22 Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
24 “ The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,“ Therefore I hope in Him!”
Lamentations 3:22-24
The Bible tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:31-39).
The passage in Lamentations gives me great hope that in the midst of all that surrounds us, the mercy of the Lord is still there.
And because of the mercies of the Lord, we are not destroyed immediately because of our disobedience.
Because of His covenant with us, He will not leave us alone as orphans.
Because of His faithfulness, we can have hope not just for this life, but more importantly, for the life to come.
So let us remember the lessons of the Jermemiah and Lamentations and know the sign of the times and not ignore God. Instead, trust in the faithfulness of God and believe that God will surely fulfill every Word He said.
Lamentations 3:22-24 is also the inspiration of one of my all time favourite hymns (I seem to have too many). Why not sing it along with me now?
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PS
Why should a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the LORD;
Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven.
We have transgressed and rebelled; You have not pardoned.
My son, do not despise thechastening of the LORD, nor detest His correction;
For whom He loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and divine nature.
Let a beam of sunlight remind us of God. Let the bible remind us of God. Let our prayer remind us that our God is living and He is watching us and listening to every one of our prayer from His glorious throne in heaven.
So we are without excuse.