The Gospel in LamentationsAs the book‘s title suggests, Lamentations invites the faithful to mourn over sinand the judgment of God against covenant breakers. As we live amid a culturethat celebrates sinful lifestyles, this book stirs our hearts to mourn over human-ity‘s plight-both in society and in our own hearts. - P19
Without recognizing ourhopeless and miserable state before a holy God, we cannot properly comprehendor receive the goodness of His grace. Before we can be lifted up from the grave,
we must grieve over how lost we truly are. - P19
My eyes fail from weeping, I am in torment within;my heart is poured out on the ground because my people are destroyed,
because children and infants faint in the streets of the city.
Lamentations 2:11 - P36
5 Her foes have become her masters; her enemies areat ease. The LORD has brought her grief because of hermany sins. Her children have gone into exile, captivebefore the foe. - P38
6 All the splendor has departed from Daughter Zion.
Her princes are like deer that find no pasture; in weak-ness they have fled before the pursuer. - P39
10 The enemy laid hands on all her treasures; she sawpagannations enter her sanctuary-those you had for-bidden to enter your assembly.
11 All her people groan as they search for bread; theybarter their treasures for food to keep themselves alive.
"Look, LORD, and consider, for I am despised." - P39
The author laments the destruction of Jerusalem. The city is personified as awoman who has lost everything. She is exiled and desolate. Her splendor islost and her enemies laugh at her situation. - P39
Jerusalem‘s sins have made herunclean and her sanctuary has been defiled. Her people call out to God asthey search for food to stay alive. - P39
When the pandemic hit, it was eerie and disheartening to see cities likeNew York and Seoul-which were usually bustling with huge crowds-become completely empty. - P40
The author of Lamentations describes asimilar state of affairs in the city of Jerusalem. A city once vibrant andprosperous is now deserted after being conquered by Babylon. - P40
Thepeople who once filled its streets have been taken into exile. And this isall a result of the people‘s sins. The prophet writes that in this time ofaffliction, Jerusalem remembers the glory of the past and weeps. - P40
But itis too little, too late. - P40
Before the destruction, the people failed to appreciate the blessings of God. - P40
They instead rebelled against Him and paidno regard to His commands. - P40
Let us be a people who remember God‘sgoodness each day of our lives and may this act of remembering compelus to honor Him with our obedience and gratitude. - P40
Dear Jesus, we bless Your name. When we suffer because of our sins, we will cryout to You to save and comfort us. - P41
When we suffer because of Your name, we willrejoice because we know that great is our reward in heaven. In Your name, amen. - P41
The island nation of Bahrain has Arab-Islamic roots. The majority of its people are Shia Muslimwhile its minority ruling class is Sunni. The conflict between the Shia and Sunni populationshas led to civil unrest, with the Shia protesting for democracy and better living conditions.
- P40
Most of the Christians in Bahrain are foreigners, since proselytizing locals is illegal. The fewBahraini Christians practice their faith in secret. - P40
Geographically speaking, Bahrain is
strategically located among
the Arab Gulf countries, making it a great hub for spreading the gospel. - P40
The woman who personifies Jerusalem asks those passing by to notice hersuffering. Her suffering comes from the Lord, who has made her desolate inHis anger. - P43
Her sins have weighed her down and God used an army against her.
No one comforts her as she weeps. The Lord has commanded her neighborsto become her enemies. - P43
The Lord brought destruction upon Jerusalem due to Israel‘s persistentdisobedience over many years. - P44
The author describes Jerusalem‘s sinsas a heavy yoke that has been tied around her neck. During her glorydays, the prophets, priests, and people ignored their sin and disregardedthe judgment God had warned of time and again. - P44
But now, God hasbrought their sin to their attention in a way they cannot ignore. Let usstay alert to the merciful warning signs God sends us about our sin. - P44
Jerusalem cries out in the depths of her despair saying that her eyes over-flow with tears, but there is no one to comfort her. - P44
The people hold outtheir hands in desperation, but no one responds. It is a brutally honestdepiction of how sin can make us feel alone and abandoned. - P44
When weare lost in sin, it can feel like we are trapped in a deep, dark pit with nohope of rescue. But we are never truly alone. Even though the Israelitesfelt like God had forsaken them, - P44
He was always there, waiting for themto turn back to Him in repentance so He could restore them. And Heis always here for us, too. - P44
There is no sin too great that can separate usfrom His love. - P44
Lord, thank you that though I tend to forget my sins, Your Holy Spirit worksto convict me of my disobedience and turn my heart toward You. - P45
And whenmy sins cause me to suffer, lead me to find comfort and restoration in You. InJesus‘ name, amen. - P45
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