Good morning, everyone!
Today I read Lamentations 1-3. You thought we were finished talking about Jeremiah, but according to my Bible, the third chapter at least, is Jeremiah's lament.
Regardless, this person is lamenting and crying out to God because of the plight of the Israelites. They are telling God how His wrath has been poured out. They are not arguing with His punishment, but rather acknowledge Israel's sins. Still, they lament and cry out, begging God to forgive, to reverse His wrath, and relent in His punishment.
Remember, the Israelites are once again in captivity because they turned away from God.
And doesn't that apply to us too? When we turn from God, even for a moment, and let sin overtake us, then it can feel like we are bound by the weight and guilt of that sin. It can feel like God has forgotten us, like He wouldn't want anything to do with us anymore. It can feel like our sin has separated us from Him forever.
But God is merciful. And loving. And forgiving. That's something else this person reminds God of in the lament.
Sometimes we mess up. It's usually not as intense or as often as the whole nation of Israel, but for that time, we are separated from God by our sins, and if we persist, His anger will kindle against us.
And wouldn't that be terrifying?
We don't have to be afraid of making mistakes, or messing up. We just shouldn't sin on purpose, continuously, without repentance. Because God is merciful and forgiving if we acknowledge our sin, acknowledge that He is God and ask for His forgiveness.
Unlike the Israelites who continued in their sin with pride and without fear or humility.
I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Lamentations 3:37-5:22
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