Lam 5 RESTORATION
Monday, March 22, 2021.
Lam 5:21
Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old: the people were yearning to be restored by God so that they could return to Jerusalem. The exile was a humiliating experience and accomplished God’s goal of having the people pray for deliverance.
Application: when we find ourselves exiled into a wilderness, let us do what Judah did––pray for God to restore us and use us to display His splendor Ps 96:6.
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Lam 4 COMING JUDGMENT
Sunday, March 21, 2021.
Lam 4:11
The Lord has given full vent to his wrath; he has poured out his fierce anger. He kindled a fire in Zion that consumed her foundations: God is patient but He is also just and Judah was given more than a fair chance to repent and turn back to the Lord but they refused and thus would be punished.
Application: we are aware when we are doing wrong but if God is patient with our sin, we interpret it that He doesn’t care how we are living. Unfortunately, we will reap what we sow Gal 6:7. We were created to live in righteousness and holiness Eph 4:24.
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Lam 3 MY SPLENDOR IS GONE
Saturday, March 20, 2021.
Lam 3:54,55
The waters closed over my head, and I thought I was about to perish. I called on your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit: Jonah had a similar experience to Jeremiah’s. The difference was that Jonah was running away from God’s will whereas Jeremiah was prophesying God’s will but the people didn’t want to hear and therefore wanted to get rid of him. Both situations mention the pit (sea for Jonah Jnh 2:5,6 and a cistern for Jeremiah Jer 38:6) which represented rebellious men whereas the land is God’s salvation Jnh 2:10. Jeremiah has encouraging words that the Lord will deliver those that hope and seek Him Lam 3:25,31,32.
Application: I have felt that the Lord has shut out my prayers so now I know I am in good company with Jeremiah Lam 3:8,18. He is teaching me to remember God’s great love and faithfulness Lam 3:22,23 for He will answer, thus I must keep trusting Him Lam 3:24.
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Lam 2 HYPOCRITES
Friday, March 19, 2021.
Lam 2:15
All who pass your way clap their hands at you; they scoff and shake their heads at Daughter Jerusalem: God punished Judah for her disobedience.
“Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth?”: Jerusalem has been shamed because of her wickedness and now she is humiliated by the neighbouring nations mocking her.
Application: If I am professing to the world that I am a Christian then my lifestyle should reflect God’s standards. If it doesn’t, I will be exposed as a hypocrite Mt 23:3.
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Lam 1 JUSTICE
Thursday, March 18, 2021.
Lam 1:17
Zion stretches out her hands, but there is no one to comfort her. The Lord has decreed for Jacob that his neighbors become his foes; Jerusalem has become an unclean thing among them: Jeremiah is lamenting over the fact that the Lord has judged Judah and she is without comfort. Her allies have become her foes.
Application: if we turn from the Lord we will be disciplined and will suffer loss. Let us learn from Judah’s example and return to the Lord 1 Co 10:6.
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