Lamentations 5 - Prayer of Jeremiah

"The Prayer of Jeremiah," a lament, confession, and plea to restore God's children to Himself.

"Remember, Lord, what has happened to us;
    look, and see our disgrace.
Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers,
    our homes to foreigners.
We have become fatherless,
    our mothers are widows.
We must buy the water we drink; 
   our wood can be had only at a price." (Lam 5:1-4 NIV)

As I read the first few verses of chapter 5 this morning, I thought that it sounded familiar. It sounds a lot like us, today. There is a difference, though. We think that buying water to drink and purchasing fuel for cooking and warmth is the way it should be. It is definitely common practice. Our children are fatherless and/or motherless. In many cases; they have no parent at all; at least none that act like parents. We have many, many homeless children in this country. And... we don't even have enough sense to know that this is a disgrace.  

Since, we don't know that we have been disgraced; we also can't figure out that we need to repent and be reconciled to God and to one another. That, in itself, is a shame.

With the "Prayer of Jeremiah," let us pray:

"Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return;
    renew our days as of old. (Lam 5:21)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Lamentations 4 - Prophets and Priests to Blame

The lament continues. The people suffer. They are suffering, the lament tells us, because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests.

"But it happened because of the sins of her prophets
    and the iniquities of her priests,
who shed within her    the blood of the righteous." (Lam 4:13 NIV)

What were the sins of the priests and prophets? Simply put, they spoke falsely, in the LORD's name, to please the itching ears of God's people. The consequences were bad... really bad! Don't forget to read chapter 4 of Lamentations today to get a better idea of how bad things got for God's people.

Lutherans, as well as other denominations in the U.S., typically call their pastors. They meet each other; they hear him/her preach; they pray for God to help them discern whether He is calling the pastor to that community to serve; and, then the congregation votes. I cannot begin to tell you how tragic it ends when the people of God do not take seriously this discernment process. They must  listen to this man or woman they are considering calling to see whether they truly proclaim God's Word or if they speak to please the itching ears of those who call. I cannot begin to imagine how many congregations actually listen for and call those who are willing to serve their itching ears before the Word of the LORD. It is not good!

And, a word to the pastors and priests, who are called to serve: consider the consequences to the people that you are teaching falsely. Is your paycheck and retirement really worth the devastation that false proclamations will bring to the people, to the land? Consider the consequences, for all people, of your decision to proclaim the truth or not. Sure, some of them may not like you for speaking the truth. But, speak it anyway so that they might have life!

Let us part with a bit of good news: even in our reading today, God promises that the sorrow will pass.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Lamentations 3 - His Compassion

"I am the man who has seen affliction
    by the rod of the Lord’s wrath.
He has driven me away and made me walk
    in darkness rather than light;
indeed, he has turned his hand against me
    again and again, all day long.
For no one is cast off
    by the Lord forever.
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
    so great is his unfailing love.
For he does not willingly bring affliction
    or grief to anyone." (Lam 3:1-3,31-33 NIV)

The LORD has indeed shown us compassion. Although, we have turned our backs to Him and followed in ways we should not go; He has shown us compassion in that He sent His Son to be a sacrifice for our sin. In spite of the fact that His people have turned against Him, He desired that we might be reconciled to Him in His Kingdom. His will is that all should live in His presence. May God help us to follow in His way that we might know His loving mercy, through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Lamentations 2 - No More Killing

The wall has been torn down (vs 8).  God's children willfully turned their backs on Him and He has withdrawn His right hand from the approach of their enemy. (vs 3) The enemy has overtaken them at the LORD's hand. There is nothing, no One, to protect them.

And... what is their response? They cry! They blame God!

“Look, Lord, and consider:
    Whom have you ever treated like this?
Should women eat their offspring,
    the children they have cared for?
Should priest and prophet be killed    
    in the sanctuary of the Lord?" (vs 20 NIV)

That women should eat their offspring, is this God's fault? That a government would use chemical weapons on their own people or anyone; that a government should invade the airspace of another and target those we suspect (key word - suspect) are our enemies with drones; that a court should find guilty and put to death an innocent man; that a parent could murder his/her own children; is this God's fault? Maybe, we should consider that because we would disrespect His creation with such atrocities against one another that God might withhold His hand of protection from us. Maybe, we should quit blaming God for what we do in His name and take a little responsibility for not caring for those things in this world that God has given us.

Yes, lament, grieve, the losses. But, we need to put an end to blaming God for the consequences of our own actions and inactions. We need to be able to stand up and confess our sins that we might receive forgiveness purchased for us (for all) through the blood of Jesus Christ, our LORD; otherwise His death has been in vain.

No more killing.... “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Lamentations 1 - Much Grief

The temple has been destroyed. The people dispersed. There is much grief, thus the name Lamentations for this book of poetry.

No where in this poem is Babylon or Nebuchadnezzar mentioned by name. God is given credit for the destruction and the exile.

“Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?
    Look around and see.
Is any suffering like my suffering
    that was inflicted on me,
that the Lord brought on me    in the day of his fierce anger?" (Lam 1:12 NIV)

Is there anything that God does not see? Is there anything that He cannot do? His chosen ones have turned their backs on Him; seeking their own glory rather than His; now weeping for what once was and for what could have been.

May God help us to always seek His face so that we might know peace in His land.

God's Peace - Pr. J.