Jeremiah wrote Lamentations about a nation who had turned their backs on God’s Word and were living in sin, while surrounded by false prophets telling them all was well.
But Jeremiah had also seen his own affliction brought about by his sin.
Jeremiah said this in Lamentations 3:1: I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of His wrath.
Instead of telling the truth about what had led these people into captivity—their own sinfulness. These false prophets prophesied lies to the people.
Lamentations 2:14
Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.
Read all of Lamentations when you get the time. It speaks of the sin of a nation, but also speaks to the sin of each person. It speaks of those who had gone into captivity because of their sin.
Jeremiah was placed in a dungeon for speaking the truth. Like many who speak the truth today are ostracized—even as false prophets prophesy lies, that tickle ears.
Jeremiah also speaks of the mercy of the LORD, for those who acknowledge their sin and turn to Him in repentance.
Lamentations 3:19-33,40-42,55,57
Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
Jeremiah also speaks of the mercy of the LORD, for those who acknowledge their sin and turn to Him in repentance.
Lamentations 3:19-33,40-42,55,57
Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him.
The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope. He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.
For the LORD will not cast off for ever: But though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
[40] Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens. We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned.
[55] I called upon Thy Name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon. [57] Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon Thee: Thou saidst, Fear not.
Beloved, does this sound to you like what’s happening today? It does to me. The answer is acknowledgement of our sin, repentance, and humbly crying out to the LORD for His mercy—
“Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.”
Where are the weeping prophets—men like Jeremiah?
Father, raise up those who will speak the truth no matter the cost. Those who will walk humbly before You acknowledging their own sin, snd calling for repentance and turning to You with our whole heart, in Jesus Name.
#EyesOnHim
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Because the sin of man was so great throughout the earth, the LORD was grieved that He had made man. God’s heart was so broken over the wickedness, the Word tells us he regretted creating man.
So great and widespread was the depravity, that only Noah and his family would be spared from the wrath of God.
Let’s read the account of what happened after the LORD finally reached the point He would no longer bear the wickedness in the earth.
When we come before the LORD, we are to come with thanksgiving in our hearts and on our lips.
When we do so, we are acknowledging Who He is—our Omnipotent Father; all powerful, and worthy of our praise.
Psalm 100:1-5
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His Name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.
Proverbs 8:34
Blessed is the man that heareth Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting at the posts of My doors.
Isaiah 52:7-15
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
[8] Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.
How can we have peace in the midst of trials so heavy that we cannot see the way forward?
Years ago, I suffered intensely from panic attacks. At that time, I lived in constant fear that something was fundamentally wrong with me and that death was imminent.
While there were many reasons for that fear, the root was simple: I was not yet secure or perfected in the love of my Father.
We know that when this life is over—if we are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ we have a great reward and a future hope awaiting us.
But what about in this life? How will we endure all that we must face in the here and now?
David, when he thought on these things said he would have despaired if he had not believed he would also see the goodness of the LORD in this life. Then, he encourages us to wait on the goodness of the LORD too.
Sometimes it seems like when we pray that God doesn’t hear our prayers. Our situation doesn’t seem to change, and the thing we requested doesn’t happen. Yet Scripture assures us: God does hear, and He does answer—though not always as we expect.
Psalm 34:17-19
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.