Rev. Don Campbell
Lamentations 1:1 – 3:36
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, August 25, 2019
“FOUR INSIGHTS INTO GOD’S NATURE”
Jeremiah penned the Book of Lamentations which consists of five poems that express grief over the fall of Jerusalem. In today’s reading notice especially chapter three, verses 31-36. We may glean four things.
First, God does not wash his hands of his people (v. 31). God will discipline and he, may for a time, refuse to hear our prayers (Jeremiah 7:16-19), but he will not cast off forever.
Second, according to his steadfast love, God will have compassion for those who do repent. David said, “Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:4-5).
Third, God does not afflict us from his heart (v. 33). God is not a sadistic nor arbitrary God. He does not cause us pain because it gives him joy, nor does he punish us simply because it is in his power to do so.
Fourth, God does not say, as do some parents, “Don’t do as I do, but do as I say’: “To crush underfoot all the prisoners of the earth, to deny a man justice in the presence of the Most High, to subvert a man in his lawsuit, the Lord does not approve” (vv. 334-36). Paul wrote, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (1 Corinthians 1:3-4). James says, “So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:12-13).
In light of these things, Jeremiah asks, “Then why should we, mere humans, complain when we are punished for our sins?” (33:39).
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