Sun.’s Devo - Jeremiah’s Lamentations

Read: Lamentations 1:1-2:22; Philemon 1:1-25; Psalm 101:1-8; Proverbs 26:20 Lamentations consists of 5 poems of lament probably written by Jeremiah. He had spent most of his life warning the people to return to the Lord and get rid of their false idols and yet they had refused to listen. When God’s judgement did come, he wrote about it making sure the people understood the days they were walking through. *** In the first poem which is the first chapter of Lamentations he expressed their defeat. He fills the humiliation of Jerusalem which now lies empty after most of the people had been taken to Babylon. No nations are coming to her aid and no one seems to care. She had brought it on herself because of her immorality. *** The people left in the city scrounged for food and had sold everything of worth just to stay alive. This had all been the Lord’s doing. He had sent the army to defeat them and was justified in what he did. Those who saw what happened to them were happy to see it. *** In the second poem which is in Chapter Two describes God’s destruction and Jeremiah’s reaction. He describes Jerusalem which lies in the dust. Even the Temple was ransacked and destroyed. The priests and kings were all gone and there would be no more celebrating the holy festivals and Sabbaths. *** The walls were torn down and its ramparts and gates and locks smashed. Their kings and prices were gone to Babylon with no law left to rule the people. The people left walked around in shame and humiliation. Jeremiah had cried many tears in despair and agony. He wept over the babies and little children crying for food and milk when there was none. *** Jeremiah reminded them of what their false prophets foretold. They had promised them false pictures that gave them false hope. He explained to them that they invited this to happen because they refused to repent. *** Philemon had been a wealthy slave owner who had converted to Christ. Philemon lived in Colosse and the church met in his home. He had had a slave named Onesimus who had stolen from him and ended up in Rome where he met Paul and was saved. *** The reason for this letter was to acknowledge the good things Philemon had done and to tell him the good news of Onesimus’s salvation. He had become a great help to Paul and was offering to pay from his own expenses anything Onesimus had cost Philemon. He sent this letter by the hands of Onesimus. *** This book attests to God’s great forgiveness and grace and the power of salvation that totally makes a new creature out of a sinner. *** Lord, may we embrace new Christians as new creatures in Christ instead of who they used to be. May we remember what you did for us and have great grace for others. May we grieve with those who are under the judgment of God and seeing such destruction happen in their land. May we grieve over what is happening in our own nation and seek your forgiveness and grace.