Our Daily Scripture — 10/18/24 (Friday)

SCRIPTURE:  LAMENTATIONS 3

MEMORY VERSES:

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him” (Lamentations 3:22-24)

“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.  It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.” (Lamentations 3:25-27)

“For men are not 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 the children of men.” (Lamentations 3:31-32)

Jeremiah described his feelings when he saw God’s judgment on Israel:

  1.  Under the rod of His wrath, I am walking in darkness rather than in light. (vs. 1-2)
  2.  My skin and flesh grow old and my bones have broken. (v. 4)
  3.  I am in bitterness and hardship, dwelling in darkness. (vs. 5-6)
  4.  I am in chain and can not escape. (v. 7)
  5.  Stones blocked my way with crooked paths. 9v. 9)
  6.  I am like a bear lying in wait, like a lion in hiding leaving me helpless. (v. 10)
  7.  I was being targeted with bows and arrows. (v. 12)
  8.  My heart was pierced with arrows. (v. 13)
  9.  I am mocked and became the laughing stock of all my people. (v. 14)
  10.  I taste the bitter herbs with gall. (v. 15)
  11.  My teeth has been broken with gravel and I am being trampled in the dust,. (v. 16)
  12.  I have no peace nor prosperity (v. 17)
  13.  All my splendor is gone. (v. 18)
  14.  I remember y affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. (v. 19)
  15.  My soul is downcast within me. (v. 21)
  16.  We are being covered with your anger and slain without pity. (v. 43)
  17.  No prayer can reach you  for you have covered yourself with a cloud. (v. 44)
  18.  We became scum and refuse among the nations. (v. 45)
  19.  All our enemies are against us. (v. 46)
  20.  We have suffered terror, pitfalls, scum and destruction. (v. 47)
  21.  Streams of tears flow from my eyes because my people are destroyed. (v. 48)
  22.  My eyes will flow unceasingly without relief until the Lord looks down from heaven and sees. (v. 49-50)
  23.  My enemies without cause hunted me like a bird and threw stones to end my life in a pit. (v. 52-53)

In Jeremiah’s darkest moment, he was strengthened with the assurance of hope:

  1.  Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (vs. 22-23)
  2.  The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. (v. 24)
  3.  The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. (v. 25)
  4.  It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. (v. 26)
  5.  It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. (v. 27)
  6.  God is present when you sit alone in silence. (v. 28)
  7.  Even if someone strike our cheeks and disgrace us, God is still with us. (v. 30)
  8.  Men are not cast off by the Lord forever. (v. 31)
  9.  God shows compassion during our grief.  His unfailing love is so great. (v. 32)
  10.  God does not willingly bring affliction or grief to us.  (v. 33)
  11.  God comes near when I call and told me not to be afraid. (v. 57)
  12.  God took up my case and redeemed my life. (v. 58)

JEREMIAH’S ADVICES TO THE PEOPLE:

  1.  Everything that happens is decreed by the Lord. (v. 37)
  2.  Both calamities and good things come from the Most High. (v. 38)
  3.  Do not complain when you are punished for yours sins. (v. 39)
  4.  Examine your ways and test them.  Return to the Lord. (v. 40)
  5.  Lift up your hearts and hands to heaven and confess your sins. (v. 42)

THOUGHTS:

Jeremiah had been dwelling on his sorrows and the sorrows of His people.  But when he lifted his eyes to the Lord, he remembered the attributes of the Lord – His compassions fail not and Great is His faithfulness.

THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD:

  1.  He is faithful to chasten in order to bring us to the stage of repentance and confessions.
  2.  He is faithful to sympathize when we have burdens and problems.
  3.  He is faithful to deliver us when we cry for help.
  4.  He is faithful to keep us when we commit our lives and souls into His hands.

In His mercy, God spared a remnant of Judah, protected and blessed them during their years of captivity.  He permitted them to return to their land, to build their city and temple and protect them from heathen nations.

In times of trouble, let us imitate Jeremiah, who looked to the Lord and waited on Him patiently and faithfully.  When problems comes, do not be discouraged.  Instead, look to Jesus and wait on the Lord.  Trust in His mercy and depend on His faithfulness.  Remember this scripture in Isaiah 40:31: “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.  They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”