God Speaks
Jeremiah Laments What Is Happening to the LORD’s Beloved City, Jerusalem, and Urges People to Repent
Verse of the Day: The hearts of the people cry out to the LORD. You walls of Daughter Zion, let your tears flow like a river day and night; give yourself no relief, your eyes no rest. Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the LORD. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children, who faint with hunger at every street corner. (Lamentations 2: 18-19 NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 237
We Respond
[Beginning on October 7, 2023, this prophecy is in the process of being fulfilled. The terrorist group Hamas invaded Israel and brought about the murderous devastation described here. Although these terrorists did not reach Jerusalem, more than 1,200 people of all ages, infants to the aged, have been sadistically murdered, some in their own homes. And more than 200 others were taken away as captives. Israel is at war!]
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Lamentations 1-2:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Lamentations 1
1. The LORD God may choose to use suffering and tragedy to bring His people and the nation of Israel back to depending on and worshipping Him as He did in the book of Lamentations.
2. People and cities or nations that once were great and beautiful will be ravaged, destroyed, and brought down because of their sins of pride, arrogance, and turning away from dependence on the LORD God.
Lamentations 2
1. “All the strength of Israel vanishes beneath [God’s] fierce anger. The LORD has withdrawn His protection as the enemy attacks. He consumes the whole land of Israel like a raging fire.” (verse 3 NLT)
2. People under attack should cry out to the LORD from their heart, lift up their hands in prayer, and appeal to the LORD God for mercy and forgiveness.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Lamentations 1-2?
O LORD God, You are the essence and source of patience and goodness. But at times, You find it necessary to use the actions of cruel nations to discipline Your children and to show them their need to trust and obey You. Ultimately, this is a battle between You, LORD, the epitome of good and Satan, the epitome of evil. Thankfully, Jesus the Messiah already defeated Satan by his death and resurrection! This war will end, and You will restore all who will turn to You in faith and obey Your simple directives. Each person and nation who does so will bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Lamentations 1-2? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will pray for the LORD to relent of His severe discipline of Israel and instead restore her by His grace.
- I will pray that God will energize and unify His people to fight against evil and to promote good.
- I will continually remind myself and others, “Good is of God and evil is of the devil,” and constantly promote and work for the former and against the latter.
- I will send money to support relief efforts and to encourage those who seek the peace of Jerusalem.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.