Tues.’s Devo - From Lamentation to Freedom

Read: Lamentations 1:1-2:19; Philemon 1:1-25; Psalm 101:1-8; Proverbs 26:20
Lamentations is a very interesting book. It consists of five poems written as acrostics. Chapters 1, 2, and 4 are 22 verses long - one for each Hebrew letter of their alphabet. It was to show that Israel’s punishment was complete (A-Z, or Aleph to Tau). Lamentations is recited every year on the Ninth of Av which is a sad day for Israel. The 10 spies brought back their evil report on this day. The first and second temple were destroyed. The Jews were expelled from Spain in 1942 on this day. There are many more bad things that have happened to Israel on the ninth of Av.
Israel fasts on this day and sit on the floor in the posture of mourning while they read Lamentations by candlelight in memory of this day. It is called the “Black Fast” because it is devoid of hope. Jewish tradition says that the Messiah would be born on this day to bring hope to Israel’s darkest hour.
Most scholars believe that Jeremiah wrote Lamentations. Whoever it was, they see Israel as a lonely widow weeping bitterly for comfort with no hope in sight. No one observes their feasts or travels to Jerusalem. They have become the tail and their enemies - the head. The people of Israel are made to look at their sins and see that they brought this upon themselves. They have to watch as everything they once owned and treasured is now by their enemies. They once ate delicacies and now scrounge for food. Everything the true prophets of God warned would happen has now happened and there is no one to save them. The words of the false prophets echo in their heads as a farce. Jerusalem was suppose to be perfect in beauty, the joy of the whole earth, but it has become a joke. There is no amount of repentance that will change their fate. It is too late for that.
Paul wrote to Philemon in Colossi. He commended them for their faith. Paul prayed that they would be active in sharing their faith and fully understand every good thing available in Christ. He also complemented the way they loved and refreshed one another. Then he got to his point. Philemon had had a slave named Onesimus who robbed him then fled to Rome. In Rome, Onesimus met Paul and became a believer. Paul was sending Onesimus back to Philemon to be reconciled to him. He asked Philemon to accept him as a converted brother in Christ and Paul offered to pay Philemon what Onesimus owed him. Onesimus would be accompanied by Tychicus who would be bringing this letter.
Paul wrote that he was confident that Philemon would do what he said and more. Then he prayed for grace for him. What a picture of salvation from slave to freedom.
Lord, help us to restore those who have wronged us and help them to walk in freedom and forgiveness.