Till the Lord Look Down Lamentations 3:50

Jeremiah wept over the conditions of the people of Jerusalem. His tears would not stop flowing and were like rivers running down his face. The horrors he witnessed and the devastating circumstances could have been avoided if only the people would have amended their ways. In chapter three and verse fifty of Lamentations we see how the Lord involved Himself in Jeremiah's tears. We read:

Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven.

The verse begins, “Till the LORD look down,...” Jeremiah's tears were so abundant that he notices in some manner the “the LORD look down”. As though He opened the curtain of heaven to peer at Jeremiah below, God appears to see Jeremiah's tears. Like mentioned in the book of Proverbs in chapter fifteen and verse three:

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

The verse goes on to say, “...and behold from heaven.” As though he needed to repeat the idea, Jeremiah continues to notice the watching of the Lord by adding the phrase “and behold from heaven”. Though Jeremiah knew God was among them, it felt that he was distant and needed to “behold” which means “to see, look at, inspect, perceive, or consider” from His heavenly perspective. Jeremiah's tears caused him to look up, and by looking up, he saw the Lord looking down.

How many times have our tears caused us to look down and believe the Lord was not watching? Perhaps we have circumstances in our lives that bring tears to our eyes and cause us to weep? Let us take heart in this, the Lord is watching, and His all encompassing eyes miss nothing we endure. The indictment of Jeremiah might have been that God did not care or was indifferent to his circumstances, but when he noticed the eyes of the Lord looking upon him he had hope. The Lord's eyes give us hope as well, and the next time we weep over people or situations, let us remember, God loves us so much that He cannot take His eyes off us.

Next time we see how Jeremiah's eye affected his heart, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Continuous Weeping Lamentations 3:49

We have noted that Jeremiah was called “The Weeping Prophet” because he wept so often over the conditions within Jerusalem and Judah. After declaring the persecution of the Lord, His blocking their prayers with a cloud, being made like refuse, fear coming upon them because of the desolation and destruction, Jeremiah began to cry. In chapter three and verse forty-nine Jeremiah continues his lament with more weeping where we read:

Mine eye trickles down, and ceases not, without any intermission,

The verse begins, “Mine eye trickles down,...” We can almost picture the tears as they flowed down Jeremiah's face. He is overwhelmed by the devastation, and his tears are the evidence that he is extremely saddened over the conditions he sees. Like a trickling faucet Jeremiah's eyes flow with moisture produced from a broken spirit.

The verse goes on to say, “...and ceases not, without any intermission,” Not only do Jeremiah's tears flow, but they flow continuously. His eye “ceases not” which means “does not cut off, interrupt, or stop”, and it is “without any intermission” which means without “remission or cessation”. Jeremiah is so disheartened over what he has witnessed with his eyes that he cannot keep them from continuously weeping.

What makes us cry? What would have to occur in our lives to make our eyes continuously flow with tears? Would it be the loss of someone very close to us? Could it be the loss of a wayward child? What about a lost world or even a lost individual who has not come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? Do we weep at all? The crystals of tears are known to be in the shapes of little crosses, and every tear exclaims the answer to man's problems – the cross. As we consider Jeremiah's words and actions, perhaps we will seek the Lord's face to discover what makes Him weep. Whatever brings continuous tears to His eyes should make us weep as well, and may the Lord ever help us to see the moisture trickling down his face.

Next time we see when God limits Jeremiah's weeping, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Eyes Running Down with Rivers Lamentations 3:48

After seeing all the devastation and destruction which the people of Jerusalem and Judah endured, we might understand how it was overwhelming for Jeremiah. The people were made like refuse, and they were greatly afraid because of their defeat. In chapter three and verse forty-eight we see Jeremiah's emotional reaction to all he has seen where we read:

Mine eye runs down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.

The verse begins, “Mine eye runs down with rivers of water...” Jeremiah's sadness overtook him, and he likens his tears to “rivers of water”. The channels of liquid flowing from his eyes as he wept over the people's condition exemplified one of the reasons Jeremiah is called “The Weeping Prophet”.

The verse continues, “...for the destruction of the daughter of my people.” When someone cries or sobs convulsively such as Jeremiah, there is usually a devastating reason. Jeremiah's cause was “the destruction” or “breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash, ruin, and shattering” of “the daughter”, which denotes the closeness he felt to them, “of my people”. Jeremiah did not distance himself from his own nation but claimed them as his own. He previously plead for them to turn from and amend their ways, but they would not. Though he made appeals to them, they would not heed his words, and now all he could do is cry.

Have we ever experienced devastation so horrific that we have tears like “rivers of waters” flowing from our eyes? Can we relate to Jeremiah's reaction as we have looked upon the “destruction” of others who are close to us? Perhaps as we meditate upon the words of Jeremiah it will help us to remember that “Jesus wept” at Lazarus' grave and sadly overlooked Jerusalem another time and said:

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets, and stone them which are sent unto you, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not!

The unwillingness of Jerusalem to change and amend their ways brought tears to our Savior's eyes, and the destruction of Jerusalem made Jeremiah's eyes like “rivers of water”. Perhaps these examples will help us the next time we sob convulsively as we watch devastating results occur in the lives of those we love. May God the Father and the Lord Jesus help us to have the same compassion for others as they do.

Next time we see more coming from Jeremiah's eyes, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Fear, Snare, Desolation and Destruction Lamentations 3:47

Jeremiah the prophet tried to describe the way it was for the people in Jerusalem after being subjected to the judgment of God. Their enemies conquered them just as Jeremiah prophesied, and the people were left as offscouring refuse while their enemies opened their mouths to abuse them. In chapter three and verse forty-seven Jeremiah tells the emotional and physical result of their enemies' behavior. He wrote:

Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction.

The verse begins, “Fear and a snare is come upon us,” Rather than being at peace, the people lived in “fear” which is “terror or dread”, and “a snare” or a “pit or hole” like unto a trap suddenly came upon them. Like birds caught in an unforeseen net, the people of Jerusalem were trapped and afraid because of their rebellion. If we use our imaginations to picture the people and the aftermath of being overtaken, killed, captured and beaten, we will understand why “fear” and “a snare” came upon them.

The verse goes on to say, “...desolation and destruction.” In addition to “fear” and “a snare” coming upon them, they also endured “desolation” which is “ruin or devastation” and “destruction” or “breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash, ruin, or shattering. Jerusalem was like rocks crushed at a quarry, and where prosperity and peace once ruled, ruin and devastation were the overriding themes.

Are we fearful? Do we feel like we have run into a snare? Has sudden or progressive desolation and destruction come upon us which has caused us ruin and devastation? As we ponder Jeremiah's thoughts in this verse perhaps we can identify with the people of Jerusalem. We might even be inclined to wonder why Divine Providence has lead us to such a state. If this is the way we feel, we may have confidence in this: If the Heavenly Father's Divine Providence has lead us into the conditions we currently face, we may be certain that His Divine Providence shall provide the means for carrying us through, over, under or around our difficulties. Through Jesus Christ, God's Son, we now have access to the throne of God as recored by the writer of the book of Hebrews in chapter four and verse sixteen:

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

May we all learn to take advantage of this marvelous access and fear no more.

Next time we see Jeremiah weeping over the people, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

All Our Enemies Lamentations 3:46

Jeremiah determined that the Lord did not hear the prayers of the people of Jerusalem and Judah and that they were made as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of others. In chapter three and verse forty-six Jeremiah acknowledges the way their enemies acted toward them. We read:

All our enemies have opened their mouths against us.

The verse begins, “All our enemies...” Jeremiah uses the word “all” which includes everyone or the whole group when describing Jerusalem and Judah's “enemies” which means “foes, opponents, and hated ones”. As he continues to describe the plight of the people of Jerusalem and Judah, those tribes and nations who were against them entered Jeremiah's mind and proceeded to the page.

The verse goes on to add, “...have opened their mouths against us.” Not only did Jeremiah reference the enemies of Jerusalem and Judah, but he also included their actions against them. They “have opened their mouths” which at its core means “breathing or panting” against them. Like a person who is enraged against another breathes hard with determination for revenge, “all” the “enemies” of Jerusalem and Judah were “against” them.

It is one thing to be going through great difficulties and quite another to have our enemies against us while they happen. Jeremiah knew what it was like to have enemies breathing out threats and slaughter against his people, and perhaps as we consider his words we too have those who are against us. We are in good company if this is so. Jesus Himself had enemies, and when He brought nothing but good, they were still against Him to the extent that they had Him beaten and crucified. Whenever we face trials, troubles and hardships, and our enemies breathe against us, let us remember Jesus' words as recorded in the gospel of John in chapter fifteen and verse eighteen:

If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you.

Next time we see what emotions were expressed by the people because of their enemies, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Offscouring and Refuse Lamentations 3:45

Jeremiah assessed the way God looked at the people of Jerusalem and Judah. His evaluation was that God was angry, persecuting, slaying and without pity toward them. He also felt as though the Lord had covered Himself with a cloud so that He could not hear the people's prayers. In chapter three and verse forty-five Jeremiah adds more to their blight-filled evaluation where we read:

You have made us as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people.

The verse begins, “You have made us as the offscouring...” Jeremiah uses two metaphors to describe the way God has “made” the people including himself. The first is “as the offscouring” which is basically anything vile such “trash, rubbish, scrap, sweepings or dung”. In other words Jeremiah and the people of Jerusalem were made to feel like discarded trash or the excrement from animals or humans.

The verse continues, “...and refuse in the midst of the people.” Jeremiah's second metaphor was “refuse” which is “trash or garbage”. Like discarded “debris, detritus, filth and junk” the people in Jerusalem and Judah were removed and of no value in their current state.

As we think about these summations of Jeremiah, we should keep in mind how often God called the people of Jerusalem and Judah to repentance. Over and over again in the prophetical books of the Bible did the prophets plead with them to change, but they would not alter their paths. Like a beckoning father who pleads with his children not to continue down a path that leads to their demise, the Lord beckoned the people to do differently. However, the people did not heed, and they continued down their path until they became as offscourings and refuse. Perhaps as we ponder these words we would benefit from examining our own lives. Are we on a path where the Lord is pleading for us to alter our ways? Are there practices about us that are leading us to be like rubbish or garbage? May the Lord help us to discern if there is any course about us that is in opposition to Him, and before it is too late, may we amend our ways when we find them outside of His will.

Next time we see what Jeremiah says about their enemies, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Prayers Not Passing Through Lamentations 3:44

As Jeremiah continues his summation concerning God's manner against the people of Judah and Jerusalem, he has described the Lord as one who has covered them with anger, persecuted and slain them, and has not had pity toward them. In chapter three and verse forty-four we learn that Jeremiah believed that God was not hearing their prayers where we read:

You have covered yourself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through.

The verse begins, “You have covered yourself with a cloud,...” When we use our imaginations with this portion of the verse, we might picture a huge cloud covering the skies like when a storm rises overhead. The darkness and thickness of the clouds allows not even the sun to be seen, and the ominous threat it poses makes most people run for cover. Jeremiah pictures God as “hedged, fenced about, and shut in” by this huge mass, and the overshadowing of it has shut off any from having access to Him.

The verse continues, “...that our prayer should not pass through.” The result of God being covered with a cloud is “prayer should not pass through”. The assumption is that the people are praying, and yet their prayers are not heard by God. Though they cry out to God, He does not hear them. The covering cloud has become a barrier to their words “crossing over” to the Lord. Not only are the people suffering at the hand of God, but their pleads to Him bounce off His clouded integument.

Have we ever felt like God was not hearing our prayers? Have we sat in the midst of great trials, troubles, and anguish and felt that our prayers were bouncing off the ceiling? Perhaps we have wondered if there was some sort of barrier preventing God from hearing anything we say. As we ponder this verse, let us keep in mind what the writer of the letter to the Hebrews said when speaking of Jesus in chapter seven and verse twenty-five:

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.

Whenever we feel that our prayers are not making it beyond the clouds or ceilings above, let us remember that Jesus has full access before the very throne of God, and He is making “intercession” on our behalves.

Next time we will discover to what the Lord likens the people, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Anger, Persecuted, Slain and Not Pitied Lamentations 3:43

As Jeremiah continued his lamentation, we should keep in mind that Hebrew poetry involves repeating or contrasting ideas rather than rhyme and rhythm as practiced in English. In chapter three and verse forty-three Jeremiah repeats the idea of God being against the people of Jerusalem and Judah where we read:

You have covered with anger, and persecuted us: you have slain, you have not pitied.

The verse begins, “You have covered with anger, and persecuted us:” There are four acts of God written within this verse of which we concern ourselves at this point with the first two. First Jeremiah says God has “covered with anger” which means “to block, overshadow, screen, stop the approach, shut off or weave together” the people with “nostril, nose or face”. This thought sees God has have a wrinkled face of strong disapproval towards the people. The second thought is that God has “persecuted” them which means “to be behind, follow after, pursue, run after or chase away”. We can almost picture God angrily pursuing the people of Jerusalem and Judah like unto one who is ready to accost them and eliminate them when He catches them.

The verse goes on to say, “you have slain, you have not pitied.” The next two acts of God against the people of Jerusalem and Judah attributed by Jeremiah are “you have slain” and “you have not pitied”. “Slain” means “to kill, slay, murder, destroy, murderer, slayer, out of hand” and implies that God Himself killed them. Although others were used as His instrument of wrath, Jeremiah gives God the credit. He also includes God's attitude toward the people “not pitied” which means God did not “spare or have compassion” upon them. Whereas God is usually known for His overwhelming compassion for His people, at this point Jeremiah says He has not been pitiful toward them.

By this verse we might think that God is kind of rough against His own people, but we must keep in mind that over and over again God made His appeal toward the people of Jerusalem and Judah to alter their ways. They would not. They continued to rebel even when they had the example of their northern sister Israel who were defeated by enemies because they went against God's word. As we ponder these four acts of God against Jerusalem and Judah, perhaps we have felt that God was against us in these ways. We might want to examine ourselves and see if rebellion is the reason. Have we given over our lives to Him completely? Are their areas in which the Holy Spirit of God has brought conviction and yet we continue to hold on to them? May the Lord Jesus guide us by His Spirit to know if we need to relinquish ourselves to Him in any area, and if we do not know Him, that is our greatest need of all.

Next time we will see the Lord's response to the people's prayers, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Transgression and Rebellion Without Pardon Lamentations 3:42

Jeremiah asked three questions concerning predictions, God allowing good and calamity, and punishment for sins. He then gave two directives and a reason for those who would answer those questions. The first of the two directives was searching and trying our ways and returning to the Lord, and the second was lifting up our heart with our hands unto the God in the heavens. In verse forty-two we see the reason those directives should be the response to the question where we read:

We have transgressed and have rebelled: you have not pardoned.

The verse begins, “We have transgressed and have rebelled:” Jeremiah's reason has two parts. First, “we have transgressed” which means “to rebel or revolt”, and the second we “have rebelled” or “have been contentious, refractory, disobedient, or rebellious against”. Those who would heed Jeremiah's words were to turn back to God because they rebelled against Him and were disobedient to His commands.

The verse goes on to add, “you have not pardoned.” In an even more poignant manner, Jeremiah concluded that God had “not pardoned” them. In other words, God had not “forgiven them” for their rebellion. It is quite one thing to be a rebellious and disobedient people, but when God's forgiveness is not extended toward those who live in this manner, they are doomed.

While we think about the thoughts and ideas conveyed in this verse, perhaps we will find transgression and rebellion against God in our own lives. Have we sought God's forgiveness? Do we believe ourselves without pardon? What if God were to hold us entirely responsible for every time we transgressed His law and rebelled against Him? Fortunately for those who have received Jesus as their Savior and Lord, God's forgiveness is extended. Jesus Christ paid for every transgression and rebellious act we make against the Heavenly Father. As the prophet Isaiah wrote concerning Jesus in chapter fifty-three and verse five of the book called after his name:

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

May all of us who read these words have ears to hear and minds to understand what Jeremiah and Isaiah wrote regarding the pardon of God the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Next time we will see the Lord's response to Judah and Jerusalem's transgression and rebellion, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Lifting Our Heart with Our Hands Lamentations 3:41

After Jeremiah asked three questions which cause his readers to question and examine themselves, he begins three actions they should employ in response. The first was searching and trying their ways and turning to the LORD, and in chapter three and verse forty-one we discover the second of those directives where we read:

Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.

The verse begins, “Let us lift up our heart with our hands...” Once again Jeremiah uses the word “Let” which means “allow, let it be, and authorize”, and again he uses the word “us” which includes those to whom he is writing and himself. His command is to “lift up” or “bear up and carry” “our heart” which is our “inner man, mind, will, soul, and understanding” “with our hands” or with the “palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand”. If we use our imaginations we can picture putting our hearts and souls within the palm of our hands and lifting them up toward the sky.

The verse continues, “...unto God in the heavens.” It is one thing to lift up our hearts in our hands, but it is quite another to whom we lift it. In this case Jeremiah encourages those who will adhere to his exhortation to lift up their souls “unto God in the heavens”. There is no greater place to lift up our hearts, and once a person has searched, tried and turned their ways, the natural response is to lift their souls towards God in heaven.

Have we examined ourselves and found that we have great need to “lift up our heart with our hands unto God”? Do our souls cry out for the Almighty in the midst of our deprivation? Perhaps as we ponder this verse we too will allow ourselves to hold as it were our hearts in our hands, lift them towards the God in heaven, and allow Him to direct us in His providential care.

Next time we will see Jeremiah's directive concerning transgression and rebellion, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Search, Try and Turn Again Lamentations 3:40

After finishing three questions concerning predictions, saying and doing, and a living man complaining about punishment for sins, Jeremiah turned to a resolution for those who would read his words. In chapter three and verse forty of Lamentations we see three directives for those concerned. We read:

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.

The verse begins, “Let us search and try our ways,...” Jeremiah employed the word “Let” to begin this section. The word “let” means “allow, authorize, or approve”. It implies “choice, decision, and personal will”. Note too that he uses “us” which means a group including himself. Jeremiah did not exempt himself from the two directives given in this section which are “search” or “think out, devise or test” and “try” which means “examine or explore thoroughly” “our”, again implying a group including himself, “ways” or “road, distance, journey, or manner”. This includes “our course of life” or “moral character”. In other words, Jeremiah encouraged his readers to allow themselves to think out and examine their manner of living.

The verse adds, “...and turn again to the LORD.” After Jeremiah and the others who would listen to him considered their ways, they were to “turn again” or “return, bring back, refresh, restore, and make requital” “to the LORD”. The implication is that there once was a relationship with the LORD, and they have strayed. They once had fellowship with God, and now they were distant. Jeremiah encouraged the people to “return” to their relationship with the LORD once they understood their current manner of living.

In Paul the apostle's discourse in the book of First Corinthians chapter eleven concerning the sacrament of communion he wrote this in verse thirty-one:

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

The idea is to examine ourselves. Perhaps as we ponder Jeremiah's words it would behoove us to consider our ways, manner of living, and moral character. Are their areas where we need to “return to the LORD”? It might be that some need to completely return to their relationship with the Almighty, and maybe for others it is the first time to consider these things. Whichever the case, the unwritten connotation of Jeremiah is that the LORD will receive those who examine themselves and turn again to Him. This access was made possible by the sacrifice of God's Son Jesus when He died on the cross and rose from the grave three days later. May we all use the opportunity afforded to us to have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ His Son.

Next time we see what to do with our heart and hands, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Complaining about Sins Lamentations 3:39

Jeremiah questioned the predictions of people and why they come to pass, good and coming from the mount of God, and in the thirty-ninth verse of chapter three of Lamentations we encounter the third question that Jeremiah posed as he continued his lament over the destruction of Jerusalem and Judah where we read:

Wherefore does a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?

The verse begins, “Wherefore does a living man complain,...” Jeremiah desires to know “wherefore” or “why” “does a living man complain” which means “murmur, groan or be sorrowful”? While a man is still alive there is ample time for alteration, new direction, and resolution to his difficulties. However, a dead man does not have these opportunities. The idea is that a man should be grateful that he is given a chance for change.

The verse continues, “...a man for the punishment of his sins?” Jeremiah adds “for the punishment of his sins” as the reason for the complaints. Because the man has engaged in sinful activities, he is enduring “punishment” or “fault, penalty, and calamity”. Yet, there is still opportunity for change. Once again, even though a man may have allowed sin and punishment because of it, he is living and has opportunity to adjust himself in alignment with God.

We are told in the book of Galatians in chapter six and verse seven:

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.

There are times when sin and sinful activities are punished, but as long as a person is alive, repentance is available. Jesus Christ came into this world “to save sinners”, and those who will turn to Him, ask for forgiveness, and repent of their ways will find He is always ready to receive them. If we are enduring what appears to be “punishment” for our sins, we must remember that the “punishment” for all sin was laid upon Jesus Christ when He died upon the cross. Because Jesus took the “punishment” that we deserved, we may now come boldly to Him and receive Him as our Lord and Savior. May the Lord lead those who have not tasted of Jesus' grace to bow before His throne and receive Him today.

Next time we see a directive to the people from Jeremiah, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Not Evil and Good Lamentations 3:38

As we continue our journey of learning throughout the book of Lamentations, we have come to a series of questions which Jeremiah has put before his readers. The first question concerned predictions and their coming to pass, and in the thirty-eighth verse of the third chapter we see the second question where we read:

Out of the mouth of the most High proceeds not evil and good?

The verse begins, “Out of the mouth of the most High...” Jeremiah begins this verse by sharing the source of what is about to be disclosed, “the most High” and refers to God speaking. There are many voices in the world, however, none of them excel that of the Creator. When God speaks, we should pay close attention to what He has to say.

The verse continues, “...proceeds not evil and good?” Here, upon first glance, seems to be a controversy. How can it be that God speaks both “evil and good”? It will help us to define “evil” which means in this case, “bad things, calamities, or misery”, and it will help to share the meaning of the word “good” which means “pleasant, agreeable and prosperous”. In other words, Jeremiah asked the question as to whether “the most High” would allow for not only good things to happen, but also bad things to happen. Bad things happened all over Jerusalem and Judah, and though they occurred, let us keep in mind that it was the people's behavior that brought them to this point.

It may help us to be reminded of what Job said to his wife when she questioned him as he was afflicted in his life. We read this in Job chapter two and verse ten:

But he said unto her, You speak as one of the foolish women speak. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

The question of our concern is rhetorical in nature and solicits an affirmation in unspoken response. Sometimes “the most High” does allow calamities in our lives, and sometimes He allows prosperity. The idea is that He is sovereign, and His purposes are not always known. If we were to consider only the crucification of Jesus itself, we might say that God allowed “evil” to come into Jesus' life. However, because the Heavenly Father allowed calamity to fall upon Jesus, we may have access to and have fellowship with Almighty God. May the Lord teach us all to trust fully in Him whether “evil” or “good” proceed out of His mouth.

Next time we see a question about how a man complains, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Saying and Doing Lamentations 3:37

After completing three things which the Lord does not approve, Jeremiah begins a new vein of thought as he continues his discourse in the third chapter of Lamentations in verse thirty-seven. This time he begins with a series of questions where we read:

Who is he that says, and it comes to pass, when the Lord commands it not?

The verse begins, “Who is he that says, and it comes to pass,...” Jeremiah asked, “Who is he” to begin his series of questions, and then adds a qualifying phrase “that says”. The idea is “to speak or utter” in a “bold or proud” manner. We might picture a person who is within a crowd of people who makes a boastful proclamation, prediction or uttering so that all around him may hear, but Jeremiah augments his question with this “and it comes to pass”. The validity of the pontification is whether or not it happens just as the person stating it said it would. It is one thing to predict, and it is quite another for that prediction to come true.

The verse goes on to say, “...when the Lord commands it not?” After asking who could make a boastful forecast and it come to pass, Jeremiah states “when the Lord commands it not?” If the Lord is not involved in the completing of the proud words, fulfillment of them will never occur. Though a man may boastfully act as though he has some sort of control or handle upon things happening, without the Lord's completion of it, his words are wasted. In other words, the Lord's “commands” are essential to the culmination of any boast.

Have we ever been around someone who makes a boastful statement as though he or she can control the future? Perhaps we remember a time when we boastfully stated something as though we had full regulation of the outcome. When these situations arise we must keep in mind that Almighty God oversees every happening of man, and nothing occurs without Him completing or allowing it. Though we may feel in control of certain outcomes, ultimately it is the Lord who decides. Jeremiah wrote in the book after his name in chapter seventeen and verse ten:

I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

May we always remember that the Lord is the source of our happenings, and no matter what is boasted before us, He is ultimately in control.

Next time we see Jeremiah's second question which concerns evil and good, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore