THE STORY OF JESUS: Lamentations 1-3
“For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.” (Lamentations 3:33)
It is not pleasant to imagine the horrible things described here.
What makes it harder is that God is viewed as the cause (not blame) for it.
“The Lord is like an enemy; he has swallowed up Israel.” (Lamentations 2:5)
But the author also recognizes that God’s heart is not behind it.
God does not willingly allow suffering, but sometimes He has no choice.
When we keep stubbornly running away, sometimes He reluctantly lets us.
Our world is the mess it is because God allows us the freedom to choose.
God is not punishing us, He is showing us what life is like without Him.
As long as sin remains in the world, suffering will remain in the world.
But God’s heart breaks as it does, and He joins us in our misery.
“His compassions never fail. They are new every morning! (Lamentations 3:22)
The root meaning of the word compassion is ‘to suffer with’.
Jesus suffered with and for us to break the grip of sin and suffering.
We may be suffering now, but God suffers with us, He will help us through it.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I’d prefer that You would end suffering, but that is not how it works. Help us feel Your presence through the darkness and Your strength through suffering.
My wanderings.
Where is my Lord during the good times? Although He is with me, I usually do not recognize His presence.
When things get bad, what do I do? I run to the Lord and ask where He is.
I need to examine my ways and return to the Lord. At all times I need to serve the living God. I need to call on Him at all times.
My God is a great God – a God of compassion and unfailing love. Help me always to walk in Your way Lord. Lead me and guide me always
so that I daily walk in Your SonShine.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.