[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC), a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]
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"She
weeps bitterly in the night And her tears are on her cheeks; She has none to
comfort her Among all her lovers. All her friends have dealt treacherously with
her; They have become her enemies."
An
irresponsible person may read this and think that it's written about a woman or
may even send this verse to one. Well, it's about Jerusalem personified as a
hapless woman. Terrible is the judgment against her. But how merciful it is
that she doesn't perish but is given enough time and perfect circumstances to
think through her ways! That's our God. Though He judges He gives us enough
time and a perfect environment to reconsider our ways.
But
the hardened sinners like in the book of Revelation shall keep on cursing God
and never repent before God! Blessed is the one who is hurt, humbled, and comes
to God in contrite spirit.
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"See,
O LORD, and look! With whom have You dealt thus? Should women eat their
offspring, The little ones who were born healthy? Should priest and prophet be
slain In the sanctuary of the Lord?"
If
God brought such things to His people Israel, would not He be more severe to
the godless people?
We
haven't seen such a scale of depravity in our generation or few before. But it
shouldn't surprise us if such thing happens again. Our world is always ripe for
judgment. God somehow chooses to delay His judgment so that many would repent
and not go through it.
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"This
I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed
never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great
is Your faithfulness."
I
guess most Christians remember Lamentations for this passage. Indeed, a passage
of hope in the Lamentations. It shines brightest in the middle of Lamentations.
It's
not by complaining our sorrows are dispersed, it's by contemplating the
compassion of God.
God
has always been merciful, graceful, and good to us. Yes, always. We deserve
nothing but the wrath of God. Yet God has given us air, water, and food;
sunshine and rain; the gift of life, marriage, and family; and above all the
gift of eternal life!
Great
is God's faithfulness towards us, the faithless, unfaithful people!
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"Rejoice
and be glad, O daughter of Edom, Who dwells in the land of Uz; But the cup will
come around to you as well, You will become drunk and make yourself naked. The
punishment of your iniquity has been completed, O daughter of Zion; He will
exile you no longer. But He will punish your iniquity, O daughter of Edom; He
will expose your sins!"
There's
indeed a time for everything. Punishment and Restoration.
Disobedience
will always lead to punishment and punishment will ultimately lead to
repentance to obedience which in turn will lead to restoration. God is great.
Everything is in His control.
However,
the sarcasm used against Edom is funny and serious indeed! Prophets love
sarcasm.
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"Restore
us to You, O LORD, that we may be restored; Renew our days as of old, Unless
You have utterly rejected us And are exceedingly angry with us."
Jeremiah
ended his lamentation with a prayer for restoration. He prayed so because he
knew God would not leave unfinished what He started. God is not a man to give
up. Nothing is too difficult for Him.