Message: A prayer to the Lord from the children of Jerusalem. God's relationship with Judah has been strained, but not snuffed out.
Time: Jerusalem, in mourning, after it's fall, in 586 BC at the hands of the Assyrians (Babylon).
What the Lord is Saying:
Lord, remember us
Disgraced
Strangers possess our inheritance
Orphans
Fatherless
Widowed
Must buy water
Must buy warmth
No rest
Our slaves are our masters
No one left to rescue us
Enemies rape our women
Princes hanged
Boys must work
Joy has left
We have sinned
Lord, you remain forever
Your throne continues
Restore us Lord
Bring us back to You
Bring back our joys
Don't be angry with us
Promise: Forgiveness is near. In the end, our trust must turn to the Lord. Always turn to prayer, even when things seem hopeless.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Lamentations 4
Message: A song of sorrow. This one begins from a different perspective. Each chapter seems to have a different perspective.
Time: Jerusalem, in mourning, after it's fall, in 586 BC at the hands of the Assyrians (Babylon).
What the Lord is saying:
Possessions
Gold lost its shine. Dull.
Riches are scattered
People
The children of Jerusalem are treated like pots of clay.
The cries of people are ignored.
There is no food for the children.
Those with much now have nothing and are beggars.
Their guilt is greater than those of Sodom.
Princes once sparkled in appearance, now they are black, dry.
Those killed by the sword are better off than these beggars.
Women have cooked their own children to survive.
Why all of this? Sin. [We should see in this that God makes a big deal out of sin.]
They couldn't flee. Their enemies were always waiting for them. God did not shield them. People were caught in the snare they set up for themselves.
Promise: May these words remind us of the importance of the sin in our lives. We must surrender to the Lord. We must accept His provision in our life.
Time: Jerusalem, in mourning, after it's fall, in 586 BC at the hands of the Assyrians (Babylon).
What the Lord is saying:
Possessions
Gold lost its shine. Dull.
Riches are scattered
People
The children of Jerusalem are treated like pots of clay.
The cries of people are ignored.
There is no food for the children.
Those with much now have nothing and are beggars.
Their guilt is greater than those of Sodom.
Princes once sparkled in appearance, now they are black, dry.
Those killed by the sword are better off than these beggars.
Women have cooked their own children to survive.
Why all of this? Sin. [We should see in this that God makes a big deal out of sin.]
They couldn't flee. Their enemies were always waiting for them. God did not shield them. People were caught in the snare they set up for themselves.
Promise: May these words remind us of the importance of the sin in our lives. We must surrender to the Lord. We must accept His provision in our life.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Lamentations 3
Message: A song of sorrow, from the 3rd person perspective.
Time: Jerusalem, in mourning, after it's fall, in 586 BC at the hands of the Assyrians (Babylon).
What the Lord is Saying: From the perspective of this individual, the Lord's anger is being manifested in this person's life.
My condition
Led into darkness and shutting out light
Turned his hand against me
Made my skin and flesh age
My bones feel broken
I'm surrounded with anguish and distress
I feel like I'm in the darkness that the dead occupy
I am walled in and cannot escape
I pray, but nothing is heard
I can't leap forward, I am blocked
My path is not straight
I feel like prey, waiting to be attacked
I am in pieces, helpless, devastated
I am a target for a bow and arrow
I am laughed at
I am bitter
I have no peace
I can't remember anything well done to me
My hope is over; I am lost
I grieve over my loss
My hope
Yet I hope
God's love never ends.
His love is faithful
His mercies never cease
Great is His faithfulness
His mercies are new
My greatest inheritance is from the Lord
My hope is only in Him
He is good to me
He is there for me
I can wait
Salvation is from the Lord
His discipline is right for me
My response because of His doing
I can be silent in what the Lord demands
We can turn the other cheek when insults come from our enemies
God does not abandon us
Grief may come from Him, but He shows kindness
His unfailing love is great
God does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow
God is there for those who receive the injustice of other men
God's justice is correct
Our sins need to be punished
I will look to Him
So I will examine my ways
I will turn to the Lord
I will lift my hearts and hands to God in heaven
For I have sinned
I have rebelled
Your anger has engulfed us
Though I doubt
We don't feel Your mercy
We feel out of sight
Our prayers seem like they go nowhere
We feel discarded
Because of our enemies, we feel fear
Trapped
Devastated
Ruined
Tearful, endlessly
Until the Lord looks down
Enemies hunt me down
I am thrown in a pit
Water is over me
You are there God
But I call on the Lord
From the deep pit and hear hears my cry
He comes when I call
and tells me to not fear
You are in charge of all
You are the lawyer that pleads my case
You have redeemed my life
You see the wrong done to me
You are my judge
Prove me right
You see the vengeful plans of my enemies
You have heard the vile names at me
You know all their plans
Pay them back Lord for their evil
Give them hard and stubborn hearts
Let your curse fall on them
Chase them down
Destroy them
Promise: God is there, always. His judgment is necessary. His way is right. Ours is not always. He loves to bless us. He does not like to judge us or chastise us. But He is Holy and therefore hates sin. And when sin enters, wrath must result.
Time: Jerusalem, in mourning, after it's fall, in 586 BC at the hands of the Assyrians (Babylon).
What the Lord is Saying: From the perspective of this individual, the Lord's anger is being manifested in this person's life.
My condition
Led into darkness and shutting out light
Turned his hand against me
Made my skin and flesh age
My bones feel broken
I'm surrounded with anguish and distress
I feel like I'm in the darkness that the dead occupy
I am walled in and cannot escape
I pray, but nothing is heard
I can't leap forward, I am blocked
My path is not straight
I feel like prey, waiting to be attacked
I am in pieces, helpless, devastated
I am a target for a bow and arrow
I am laughed at
I am bitter
I have no peace
I can't remember anything well done to me
My hope is over; I am lost
I grieve over my loss
My hope
Yet I hope
God's love never ends.
His love is faithful
His mercies never cease
Great is His faithfulness
His mercies are new
My greatest inheritance is from the Lord
My hope is only in Him
He is good to me
He is there for me
I can wait
Salvation is from the Lord
His discipline is right for me
My response because of His doing
I can be silent in what the Lord demands
We can turn the other cheek when insults come from our enemies
God does not abandon us
Grief may come from Him, but He shows kindness
His unfailing love is great
God does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow
God is there for those who receive the injustice of other men
God's justice is correct
Our sins need to be punished
I will look to Him
So I will examine my ways
I will turn to the Lord
I will lift my hearts and hands to God in heaven
For I have sinned
I have rebelled
Your anger has engulfed us
Though I doubt
We don't feel Your mercy
We feel out of sight
Our prayers seem like they go nowhere
We feel discarded
Because of our enemies, we feel fear
Trapped
Devastated
Ruined
Tearful, endlessly
Until the Lord looks down
Enemies hunt me down
I am thrown in a pit
Water is over me
You are there God
But I call on the Lord
From the deep pit and hear hears my cry
He comes when I call
and tells me to not fear
You are in charge of all
You are the lawyer that pleads my case
You have redeemed my life
You see the wrong done to me
You are my judge
Prove me right
You see the vengeful plans of my enemies
You have heard the vile names at me
You know all their plans
Pay them back Lord for their evil
Give them hard and stubborn hearts
Let your curse fall on them
Chase them down
Destroy them
Promise: God is there, always. His judgment is necessary. His way is right. Ours is not always. He loves to bless us. He does not like to judge us or chastise us. But He is Holy and therefore hates sin. And when sin enters, wrath must result.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Lamentations 2
Message: A song of sorrow.
Time: Jerusalem, in mourning, after it's fall, in 586 BC at the hands of the Assyrians (Babylon).
What the Lord is Saying: In His anger, in His wrath, with no mercy, like an enemy. The Lord has done what He purposed. He has carried out His word.
If once strong, Jerusalem is now weak. Jerusalem is under a cloud. The kingdom and its rulers are now in dishonor. He has cut down their might. His fury has been poured out like fire. He has laid in ruins its defenses (borders) and destroyed the palaces. Mourning and lamentation have been multiplied by order from the Lord. The Lord has caused them to forget Sabbath and festival are forgotten. Prophets no longer receive visions from the Lord. They are no longer effective. Young/old women, infants, babies are all affected.
Promise: The Lord keeps His promises, even when those promises mean suffering for His people. His scripture should always be taken seriously.
Time: Jerusalem, in mourning, after it's fall, in 586 BC at the hands of the Assyrians (Babylon).
What the Lord is Saying: In His anger, in His wrath, with no mercy, like an enemy. The Lord has done what He purposed. He has carried out His word.
If once strong, Jerusalem is now weak. Jerusalem is under a cloud. The kingdom and its rulers are now in dishonor. He has cut down their might. His fury has been poured out like fire. He has laid in ruins its defenses (borders) and destroyed the palaces. Mourning and lamentation have been multiplied by order from the Lord. The Lord has caused them to forget Sabbath and festival are forgotten. Prophets no longer receive visions from the Lord. They are no longer effective. Young/old women, infants, babies are all affected.
Promise: The Lord keeps His promises, even when those promises mean suffering for His people. His scripture should always be taken seriously.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Lamentations 1
Message: A song of sorrow. Key: We need to mourn when the wicked fall even when their punishment is deserved. When people go astray, our response should be one of sadness.
Time: Jerusalem, in mourning, after it's fall, in 586 BC at the hands of the Assyrians (Babylon).
What the Lord is Saying:
The city was full of people, but now it is empty, like a widow. She was great. A once princess has become a slave. She has no one to comfort her as she weeps. Past friends are present enemies. She is pursued and cannot rest. The roads to the City (to Zion) mourn. No festivals. Her enemies prosper. Her majesty has departed. Her foes had their way with her. It is a filthy place to be. She is uncovered. And no one to comfort her. In the past, many were forbidden to come to the City. Now, all are there. The people search for food. They are waiting for compassion from others as they believe their sorrow is great.
I am put in the path of those that are stronger than me. The enemy has prevailed. My idols (lovers) can't save me now. My stomach churns. My enemies rejoice over my condition.
So be it. Let them deal with me. My heart is faint.
Problem:
She has sinned. Grievously. Only thought of the now, never the future. She has rebelled against His Word. She has lovers (false Gods). She has been rebellious. All my transgressions.
Time: Jerusalem, in mourning, after it's fall, in 586 BC at the hands of the Assyrians (Babylon).
What the Lord is Saying:
The city was full of people, but now it is empty, like a widow. She was great. A once princess has become a slave. She has no one to comfort her as she weeps. Past friends are present enemies. She is pursued and cannot rest. The roads to the City (to Zion) mourn. No festivals. Her enemies prosper. Her majesty has departed. Her foes had their way with her. It is a filthy place to be. She is uncovered. And no one to comfort her. In the past, many were forbidden to come to the City. Now, all are there. The people search for food. They are waiting for compassion from others as they believe their sorrow is great.
I am put in the path of those that are stronger than me. The enemy has prevailed. My idols (lovers) can't save me now. My stomach churns. My enemies rejoice over my condition.
So be it. Let them deal with me. My heart is faint.
Problem:
She has sinned. Grievously. Only thought of the now, never the future. She has rebelled against His Word. She has lovers (false Gods). She has been rebellious. All my transgressions.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Jeremiah 52
Message: Summary
Time: Zedekiah, 21 years as King, reigned 11 years in Jerusalem, mother Hamutal, daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah
What the Lord is Saying: Zedekiah did evil in the sight of the Lord; He rebelled against king of Babylon; Jerusalem besieged by Babylon
Promise: Jehoiachin released from prison
Time: Zedekiah, 21 years as King, reigned 11 years in Jerusalem, mother Hamutal, daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah
What the Lord is Saying: Zedekiah did evil in the sight of the Lord; He rebelled against king of Babylon; Jerusalem besieged by Babylon
Promise: Jehoiachin released from prison
Jeremiah 51
Message: The Lord Says
Time: Judgment on Babylon
What the Lord is Saying: Babylon's land will be emptied; fall down slain in the sheets; land full of guilt / Israel and Judah not forsaken
God:
Jacob and Israel are set apart; God will plead Jacob and Israel's cause and take vengeance for you
Man is stupid, without knowledge; his images are false
Promise: This is a very detailed look at the destruction of Babylon. [But, isn't that what we want, that is, the detail of the destruction of a corrupt people; don't we want to see the evil of others exposed and then their suffering detailed]
Time: Judgment on Babylon
What the Lord is Saying: Babylon's land will be emptied; fall down slain in the sheets; land full of guilt / Israel and Judah not forsaken
God:
- made the earth by His power
- established the world by His wisdom
- stretched out the heavens
- He makes lightning for the rain
- He brings forth the wind (from storehouses)
Jacob and Israel are set apart; God will plead Jacob and Israel's cause and take vengeance for you
Man is stupid, without knowledge; his images are false
Promise: This is a very detailed look at the destruction of Babylon. [But, isn't that what we want, that is, the detail of the destruction of a corrupt people; don't we want to see the evil of others exposed and then their suffering detailed]
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