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...

 

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