Lamentations 3 “There Is Hope”

“This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” (vv.21-23)

Here, for the first time in the book of Lamentations, hope is allowed. Having sunk low in his soul (v.20), Jeremiah now remembered something that started hope within. One writer put it this way, “In a magnificent expression of faith in the unfailing mercies of God, Jeremiah looks to the distant future with renewed hope.”

Jeremiah remembered that as beat down and defeated the people of Jerusalem and Judah were, they were not yet completely consumed. There was still a remnant, and remnant with a promise of restoration. Spurgeon put it this way, Jeremiah seems to say, ‘Bad as my case is, it might have been worse, for I might have been consumed, and I should have been consumed if the Lord’s compassions had failed.’ Meaning, in the severity of God’s correction, His people endured - evidence of His compassions.

Today as we all look around us during this global pandemic while there is suffering and death, people are enduring, surviving, and there is hope for the future. So just as Jeremiah looked to the distant future with renewed hope, so should we.

The Truth: “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Lamentations 2 “Real Sorrow Prompts Repentance”

“Their heart cried out to the Lord, “O wall of the daughter of Zion, let your tears run down like a river day and night; Give yourself no relief, let your eyes have no rest.” (v.18)

Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of the classic antislavery novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, wrote, “Any mind that is capable of real sorrow is capable of good.” This echoes today’s verse. Real (or godly) sorrow prompts one to repentance. “Worldly” sorrow, on the other hand, seldom gets past the regret of “getting caught.”

Having realized the link between their sin and God’s judgment, Jerusalem was beginning to experience that godly sorrow that would lead to its healing and salvation. Sensing their brokenness, Jeremiah encouraged the people to cry out to God with unending tears (v. 18). The few survivors that existed heeded the prophet’s call to repentance and prayer (v.19). And we know from history, that conditions improved and the devastation came to an end.

Brothers and sisters the first step toward wholeness begins by pouring one’s heart out before the Lord in repentance, which brings new life. If you are feeling overwhelmed by your sin, take that step of repentance today, you’ll never regret it (see prayer to the right on this page, “Connect with God").

The Truth: “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10)

Lamentations 1 “Grieving Over Jerusalem”

“How lonely sits the city, that was full of people!
How like a widow is she, who was great among the nations!
The princess among the provinces, have become a slave!
She weeps bitterly in the night, Her tears are on her cheeks;
Among all her lovers, she has none to comfort her.
All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; they have become her enemies.” (vv.1-2)

When I was a young boy I was a handful. Always testing, bending the rules, pushing the limits, and then receiving the “rod of correction” from one or both of my parents for my disobedience. The standard line I heard every time just before my punishment was, “This is going to hurt me more than it will hurt you.” I never believed it - until I became a parent myself.

It breaks a father’s heart to chastise his children, to teach lessons necessary for their own good, their own protection, and in some cases as they grow older, even their own survival. A father’s heart is always broken when he sees his children rebelling against him. Why? Because he knows their disobedience will lead to consequences. And the father can only hope those consequences will not lead to death, but to a change of heart as he continues to wait.    

Writing after the catastrophe of Jerusalem’s defeat, Jeremiah thought of Jerusalem as the widow princess brought low, weeping uncontrollably with none to comfort her. And even though Jerusalem’s many warnings vindicated Jeremiah’s many prophecies, he had no sense of triumph, no “I told you so,” only great sorrow for both Jerusalem and Judah. The sorrow of one who had lost a child, a husband or wife, a loved one. He hurt for them, for the punishment they had to endure for their disobedience to God (their heavenly Father), and their disregard for His laws, His statutes, His covenant with them.

As Christians, we too grieve when a bother or sister in the Lord, a sibling or family member, and even a nation, turns from the LORD and experiences the consequences of the loss of His Spirit, His fellowship, His grace, and nothing seems to comfort them. Especially as a parent when our children walk away from the teachings of their youth. We lament for them and and pray for them as we see the changes in their attitudes, their beliefs, and the false teachings they begin to cling too which begins to control their entire outlook on life.

But, like Jeremiah, we should never say, “I told you so,” nor gloat, when they begin to reap what they have sown, but instead pray for their repentance and the eventual revival of their heart and mind. And like Jeremiah, we do not remain in despair, but recognize God’s sovereignty in suffering and understand, “there is hope.” For “whom the LORD loves He chastens” and through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed. For His compassions fail not, they are new every morning” (3:21-23), and His “rod of correction” is designed to bring us back into fellowship with Him.

Take hope my friends, for the One who made heaven and earth watches over you and yours.

The Truth: “O Israel, hope in the LORD; for within the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption.” (Psalm 130:7)

1 Corinthians 16 "Serve Others In Love"

“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” (vv.13-14)

Paul ends his letter to the Corinthians like he started it. After all the time spent to correct, rebuke, and exhort them, he now affirms his confidence in them. Returning to the theme of love, he urges the Corinthians to; stand firm in the faith, don’t waver; act like men, lead don’t follow; be strong, firm, sold in your resolve not weak; and finally, all that you do should be done in love, and expressed in tangible ways to one another.

It should be noted that we continue to struggle with some of the same issues in the 21st century, as the Corinthians did. However, the key point for all of us to draw on from in this chapter is, the attention to love. We as Christians are all brothers and sisters in Jesus, no one is perfect, we are all under construction but, we are His children. As such, we all need instruction, exhortation, at times correction, most certainly direction, and above all - love.

Therefore, all that we do should be done in love. For, “There is one body and one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Be on alert brothers and sisters, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong, and all that you do, let it be done in love.

The Truth: "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, and will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38) 

1 Corinthians 15 "Our Final Victory"

“The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our LORD Jesus Christ” (vv. 56-57)

Throughout chapter 15, Paul discusses the reality of the resurrection of Christ and, through Him, the assurance of the resurrection of all who believe in His name. Today’s text delivers the powerful conclusion to his argument in this chapter. Quoting the prophet Hosea, Paul pronounces death powerless (vv. 56-57).

In the book of Ecclesiastes, death has been shown as the great equalizer that conquers all men, rendering their labor on earth meaningless. But Paul claims triumphantly in verse 57 that, “through Jesus Christ, God gives us victory over death.” This assurance of life after death allows every Christian to live free of the dread of death.

Although the events surrounding the Second Coming are partly a “mystery," Paul makes it clear that believers will be raised bodily when Christ returns (vv. 51-53). Those who have already died and those who do not “sleep” will be changed instantaneously at the sound of the trumpet. An instant heavenly body. And with that, the power of sin and the sting of death will end forever.

Therefore, Paul exhorts all believers (who remain until His second coming) to be, "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the LORD, knowing that our work is not in vain in the LORD." (v.58) And what is our work? Paul made it clear that the declaration of the gospel was his sole purpose in life, the work he had been called to (vv.1-8). While we are certainly not apostles, we are believers, followers of Christ. And as such called by Him to the work of the harvest, to labor for the gospel, and for the kingdom.

Therefore brothers and sisters, fulfill your calling at every turn. Speak boldly in His name, for the time is short and the laborers are few, but the field is ripe for a harvest.  

The Truth: “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11)

1 Corinthians 14 "The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts"

"Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” (v.1)

In our text today, Paul is reminding the people of Corinth about the purpose of spiritual gifts and how they are to function in a public worship assembly - specifically the gift of tongues and prophesy. He does not fault them for the gifts nor the desire to have them, he simply instructs them as to when and when not to use their gifts, especially tongues. An important instruction to note, "He who speaks in tongues speaks to God, not to man" (v.2). And cautions not to cause confusion during corporate worship with the unbeliever who would say, "you are out of your mind" (v.24). While he who prophesies, "speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men" (v.3) and "edifies the church" (v.4).

Paul reminds the believers that spiritual gifts are given for the common good, and when the community gathers, priority should be given to the gift of prophecy for it convicts the heart (v. 24). Paul goes on to say while there’s freedom in the gatherings, nevertheless, there are restrictions put in place. These restrictions, such as forbidding more than one person from talking at a time or requiring interpretation for a person speaking in tongues, do not restrain the Spirit but, promotes order (vv. 26-40). Therefore, the exercise of spiritual gifts should always be done for edification (v.26), properly, and in an orderly manner (v.40).

Most importantly Paul reminds them to desire spiritual gifts, especially prophesy (v.1). Why? that they might edify the body (v.12). And so should we. Why? to become closer to God, that He might work through us, to edify others.

The Truth: "So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification." (Romans 14:9)

1 Corinthians 13 "Unfailing Love"

“Now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (v.13)

When people hurt us and then apologize, we often say that we forgive them. But, like a dog that won’t give up its bone, we sometimes let our minds continue to chew on past insults. Paul declared in the latter part of verse 5 that love “thinks no evil.” He was using an accountant’s term here meaning, it does not keep a record of wrongs. Instead, love forgives and refuses to keep it on the books. When we want to remember something, we go over it again and again in our minds. But Godly love deliberately and consciously lets go of past hurts, and gives them to God.

The Bible challenges each of us to this higher ground in loving others, to live out God’s kind of love. The person who exercises Godly love doesn’t do so for personal benefit or gain, but rather “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (13:7). Why? Because Godly love endures beyond life’s hurts by pulling us relentlessly toward the never-diminishing care of the Father.

Therefore, even in our struggles, we know that “His love never fails,” and nor should ours. Lord, teach us the patience of Your unfailing love that we might properly reflect it.

The Truth: "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (v.7)

1 Corinthians 12 " Everyone Has A Gift"

“But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (v.7)

The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church about the purpose for which the Lord gave them their spiritual gifts. Before he listed the diversity of gifts (vv.8-10), he reminded them that “a spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other” (v.7). God does not give His spiritual gifts for our own selfish use, but to serve others, and in so doing, we serve Him.

We are all given different gifts to be used at different times and in different ways. W. W. Dawley, referring to this truth, says, “God gave Moses a rod, David a sling, Samson the jawbone of a donkey, Shamgar an oxgoad, Esther the beauty of person, Deborah the talent for poetry, Dorcas a needle, and Apollos an eloquent tongue—and to each the ability to use that gift. In so doing, every one of them did most effective works for the Lord.”

Our heavenly Father has given at least one spiritual gift to each of us as believers, and He provides all we need to carry out our individual responsibilities (vv.6-7). Each one of us is one piece of a jigsaw puzzle that is not complete without the others. Therefore, seek out your gift, and use it, for it is an important part of the body of Christ to serve others and to bring Him honor.

The Truth: “Do not neglect the gift that is in you.” (1 Timothy 4:14)