I am not exactly sure how I ended up reading Lamentations. There are a lot of other more readable choices in the Scripture. I have not read Lamentations nearly as many times as I have Genesis or the gospels. Nonetheless, I found myself immersed in its five chapters the other day. These words written by Jeremiah speak of Israel getting what it deserved for its unfaithfulness to God. The picture the Old Testament prophet paints is not a pretty picture. But, it is also a word in which Jeremiah speaks of the people getting from God the grace and restoration they do not deserve.
Of all the verses the most intriguing were the last two which read, "Restore us to Yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored, renew our days as of old--unless you have utterly rejected us, and are angry with us beyond measure." What a frightening note with which to end. For God to be angry with us beyond measure is surely a terrifying thing to consider. Jeremiah seems to be of the opinion that if such is true, there is no hope and only every reason to despair.
The one thing we keep finding as we read these Old Testament prophets is a strong word about God's displeasure with unfaithfulness. Yet, even in the midst of all those frightening words about judgment, there comes those other words about the steadfast enduring love of God. No matter how far the people remove themselves from His will for them, there is always mercy to be offered and love to be given. It is not a word which gives us permission to sin, but a word which assures us that no matter how great we come to understand our sin, "...He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9) Good news, indeed!
Of all the verses the most intriguing were the last two which read, "Restore us to Yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored, renew our days as of old--unless you have utterly rejected us, and are angry with us beyond measure." What a frightening note with which to end. For God to be angry with us beyond measure is surely a terrifying thing to consider. Jeremiah seems to be of the opinion that if such is true, there is no hope and only every reason to despair.
The one thing we keep finding as we read these Old Testament prophets is a strong word about God's displeasure with unfaithfulness. Yet, even in the midst of all those frightening words about judgment, there comes those other words about the steadfast enduring love of God. No matter how far the people remove themselves from His will for them, there is always mercy to be offered and love to be given. It is not a word which gives us permission to sin, but a word which assures us that no matter how great we come to understand our sin, "...He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9) Good news, indeed!
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