Thoughts

In the past week I have finished reading Jeremiah and Lamentations for my devotions and I've been struck with how rebellious and idolatrous the children of Israel had become, even though they had a history full of God's loving care and mercy toward them. The Lord had provided time and time again, yet they still wanted to do things their own way. Several things really "jumped out", so to speak, as I began Lamentations; things that I've been chewing on since I read them. I'd like to share them with you today.

As I began reading through the first two chapters of Lamentations I noted that the prophet (Jeremiah) was "bewailing the miserable estate of Jerusalem" and pointing out that they are being plagued as a result of their sins. "Her adversaries are the chief, and her enemies prosper: for the Lord hath afflicted her, for the multitude of her transgressions, and her children are gone into captivity before the enemy" Lam. 1:5

Then I read vs. 14 of chapter 2- "Thy prophets have looked out vain and foolish things for thee, and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity, but have looked out for thee false prophecies, and causes of banishment." WOW....I had to read that verse again and then read the note- "Because the false prophets called themselves Seers, as the others were called, therefore he showeth that they saw amiss, because they did not reprove the people's faults, but flattered them in their sins, which was the cause of their destruction." So in essence the false prophets had encouraged the people in their sin and they were unwilling to listen to the God sent prophets. That got me to thinking about how I could apply this to my life and I immediately thought of what I portray, my example to others, do I encourage others towards a relationship with God or do I discourage them? I know that I will be accountable to God for all that I have done, and to think about what it would be like to be accountable for discouraging someone to come to Christ makes me re-evaluate what I do.

The next day I began chapter three which seems to the prophets "complaints" of the punishments and afflictions that he has had to endure while proclaiming the destruction of Jerusalem. Verse eight immediately jumped out- "Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer" oh, I can relate to that! Sometimes it seems like God doesn't hear my prayer even though I've been praying for ever-so-long about something. Then I read the note... "This is a great tentation (old form of temptation) to the godly when they see not the fruit of their prayers, and causeth them to think that they are not heard, which thing God useth to do, that they might pray more earnestly and the oftener," This was such an encouragement!! Yes, I know God hears my prayers even when I don't think He does, but to read that the prophet felt this at times and then to read the note was such a blessing! It gave me fresh perspective!!

"Proverbs 4:13 Take hold of instruction, and leave not:keep her, for she is thy life".