Laments

My bible reading plan took me to the book of Lamentations chapter 3. Wow what a sorrowful book. The writer was in a horrible place in their life, not one good thing was happening, poor, homeless, destitute, physically ill, despised and mocked by the people around him, even persecuted and tortured. He was living a lamentable life, and yet he says this about God, “I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 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.” 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. Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him. Let him bury his face in the dust — there may yet be hope. Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace. 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.

Lamentations 3:19-33 –

Life sometimes is very hard.

God is good.

Both of these can be true at the same time.

“I called on your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.” You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.”

Lamentations 3:55-57 –

The writer goes on from here to pray for vengeance against his enemies. That his enemies receive from God, what their behavior has earned them. Give them God, what they deserve. That may be the worst curse ever. What we deserve is the punishment that Jesus received. He took upon himself the punishment of us all.

Thank you Jesus for bearing my sins on your shoulders. Thank you Jesus for paying for me, buying me back with your death and now living forever and inviting me to life with you.

It’s an open invitation to whom so ever would. Will you receive God’s gift today?