In
Lamentations three Jeremiah is brutally honest about what has happened to the
people of Israel. He speaks passionately of the horrors of the invasion and the
captivity. These are the writings of an
eye witness who is heartbroken over what has happened to Jerusalem.
Lamentations
3:1-2 I am the one
who has seen the afflictions that come from the rod of the LORD’s anger.
[2] He has led me into darkness, shutting out all light. (NLT)
Jeremiah
shares the depth of what he is feeling. God has poured out His wrath on me. He has led me into utter darkness there is NO
Light and absolutely NO HOPE. I have
felt God’s wrath - His anger has been directed against me. He has brought me
into utter darkness.
Lamentations
3:7-8 He has walled me in, and I cannot escape. He has bound me in heavy chains. [8] And though I cry and shout, he has shut out my prayers. (NLT)
Listen
to the emotion - God has built prison wall around me - there is NO ESCAPE. He put me in chains, and even though pour out
my heart to Him but He refuses to hear my prayers.
Lamentations 3:10-11,
20 He has hidden like a bear or a lion, waiting to attack me. [11]
He has dragged me off the path and torn
me in pieces, leaving me helpless
and devastated. ...[20] I
will never forget this awful time,
as I grieve over my loss. (NLT)
God
has ripped me in pieces like a savage lion.
He has left me helpless and devastated. Jeremiah has seen the horrors of
the destruction of Jerusalem. The
slaughter of people and slaves being dragged away to Babylon. He says he will NEVER FORGET this horrifying
time.
But
then suddenly in the midst of all the horrors of death and destruction there is
a huge shift...
Lamentations
3:21-23 Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: [22] The faithful love of the LORD never
ends! His mercies never
cease. [23] Great is His
faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. (NLT)
I
DARE to Hope - What? How? In the darkest times Jeremiah had ever face
he stopped and focused once more on God and His FAITHFUL Love. Why? Because he knew that God’s Love and Mercy never
end. But how can all of this be God’s
love? How can these horrible things show His mercy? Jeremiah accepted the fact that the people of
Israel deserved judgment. He had warned
them and preached to them. He called on
them to TURN BACK to God but they refused.
The Faithfulness of God was seen in that He chose to discipline His
people rather than to give up and totally destroy them. Even in the darkest moments with the horror
of all that has happened Jeremiah believes that God will keep His promises and
restore His people. God’s Mercy will
replace His judgment. This is Jeremiah
reminding himself that God is just and merciful.
PRAYER: The words to this song by Stuart Townend are a great reminder and
prayer.
There is a hope that lifts my weary head a consolation strong against despair
That when the world has plunged me in its deepest pit, I find the Savior there
Through present sufferings, future's fear, He whispers 'courage' in my ear.
For I am safe in everlasting arms, And they will lead me home.
There is a hope that lifts my weary head a consolation strong against despair
That when the world has plunged me in its deepest pit, I find the Savior there
Through present sufferings, future's fear, He whispers 'courage' in my ear.
For I am safe in everlasting arms, And they will lead me home.
There is a hope that stands the test of time,
That lifts my eyes beyond the beckoning grave,
To see the matchless beauty of a day divine When I behold His face!
When sufferings cease and sorrows die, And every longing satisfied.
Then joy unspeakable will flood my soul, For I am truly home.
