|
|
LAMENTATIONS The following comments are from Navigator's and Quiet Time Diary journals. One verse will be entered, then the comment, then the date. 1:8 Jerusalem sinned greatly, Therefore she has become an unclean thing. All who honored her despise her Because they have seen her nakedness; Even she herself groans and turns away. This was written at a time in history when Jerusalem had been destroyed and was vacant. As this verse states, the city had sinned against the Lord, which accounted for her destruction. All could see her sin and apparently the few that remained afterwards even left - as in the 5th line here. (DRM 6/17/07) 1:14 "My sins have been bound into a yoke; by his hands they were woven together. They have come upon my neck and the Lord has sapped my strength. He has handed me over to those I can not withstand." This verse from before Christ shows how people knew of sin and felt totally tied to it. Thank God that Jesus Christ came to save us from our sins when we accept Him totally! (DRM 4/15/89) 1:17 Zion stretches out her hands; There is no one to comfort her; The LORD has commanded concerning Jacob That the ones round about him should be his adversaries; Jerusalem has become an unclean thing among them. Even in Jeremiah's time the nations surrounding Jerusalem (now Israel) were their enemies. Things haven't changed in thousands of years. With few people to comfort her, God probably intended that the nation depend solely on Him - just like He wants all believers to do individually. (DRM 6/18/07) 2:5 The Lord is like an enemy; he has swallowed up Israel. He has swallowed up all her palaces and destroyed her strongholds. He has multiplied mourning and lamentation for the Daughter of Judah. This verse is just a sample from the whole chapter. This chapter seems to me to be one of the most critical of God so far, in the Bible! Certainly Lamentations is a good name, as Israel is lamenting here for things that have happened to her, due to God's vengeance. (DRM 4/16/89) 2:7 The Lord has rejected His altar, He has abandoned His sanctuary; He has delivered into the hand of the enemy The walls of her palaces. They have made a noise in the house of the LORD As in the day of an appointed feast. God can do anything He wants. Even if it doesn't make sense today, it will all be clear as to His reasons "tomorrow." This is what happened to Israel as her enemies took over, and, in a similar way, in my (our) lives when He doesn't allow things to happen that seem like they would be good to do. Eventually time will make things clear. (DRM 6/19/07) 2:15 All who pass along the way clap their hands in derision at you; They hiss and shake their heads At the daughter of Jerusalem, "Is this the city of which they said, 'The perfection of beauty, A joy to all the earth'? " Jerusalem has been an important city for thousands of years. At the time this was written, her enemies look at the destruction and shook their heads in amazement. Still, I'm sure they thought the destruction would be final. Jerusalem is surrounded by enemies today - who would also like to see her destruction, but I think God will intervene to stop it. (DRM 6/20/07) 3:24 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." A recent song that I know and met the author of - is "My Hope is in the Lord." While I don't totally understand what happened while I was in Chicago, my hope continues to be in Him - and how He works everything out for the best. I (we) must continue to have hope and faith completely on His direction for every day of life. (DRM 6/21/07) 3:25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, I used to think I had some patience, but now I don't feel
that way. That's probably the opposite of other people. I still have patience
for a day or two, but it's harder after a year or two. 3:56 Thou hast heard my voice, "Do not hide Thine ear from my prayer for relief. From my cry for help." Throughout the Bible, we are assured that our prayers - if we are part of the family of God - are received in Heaven and acted upon. Today I wonder how God's transmission lines can determine the difference between our prayers and our thoughts - but it really doesn't matter - as He knows everything about me (us). 3:57 You came near when I called you, and you said, "Do not fear." When things go wrong, or we think they will go wrong, then we lose our trust in the Lord. I must learn never to even consider doubting Him. There is no reason to fear because He is in me and I should have no reason to doubt that He knows what is right. (DRM 11/13/86) 4:22 O Daughter of Zion, your punishment will end; he will not prolong your exile. But, O Daughter of Edom, he will punish your sin and expose your wickedness. Israel is God's chosen nation. In this verse, the author gives hope to the people of Zion (Israel?). The people of Edom on the other hand, will have more suffering. Lord, let me also be aware of You at all times and accept your punishment and praise. (DRM 4/17/89) 5:21,22 Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may return; renew our days of old. 22unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure. As previously mentioned, the book of Lamentations laments on the fate of the Israelites as they have been scattered. These 2 verses are important in that they are asking for forgiveness, as we all must do to be a true servant of God. (DRM 4/18/89) [re: 5:21] In v.16, Jeremiah points out that the Israelites had sinned. Here he is seeking restoration. The country needed to repent from it's sin of not following the Lord God. When (not if) I sin, I also need to repent and follow His direction. Living alone, I find it difficult sometimes to determine what I did wrong - as there is no human conviction for my sins. Truly the Holy Spirit is my convictor and I also need to repent to be restored to a closer walk with God=Jesus. (DRM 6/23/07)
|