August 30
Read Lamentations 1 - 2
In Today's Reading:
Jeremiah's lamentation over Jerusalem's destruction
Jeremiah was deeply grieved that the holy city of Jerusalem had become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary! She weeps sore (bitterly) in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks . . . she has none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they have become her enemies. Judah is gone into captivity (Lamentations 1:1-3). Jeremiah tells us why Jerusalem was reduced to such deplorable destruction: The LORD has afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions (1:5).
The prophet Jeremiah compared the once wealthy, secure, and proud Israelites to a widow who had lost her husband. The loving Lord was the generous Provider and powerful Protector of Israel, but the people had rejected Him. As a widow, Jerusalem was now alone, weeping in the night, with no one to comfort her. Jerusalem has grievously sinned (1:8). The Covenant of God with Israel required willing obedience to His Word, but the Israelites had not kept their part of the Covenant. Spiritual neglect eventually led the Israelites to lose not only their personal liberty but also the precious privilege of letting the world know the One True God who expects His children to reject their idols and worship Him.
We too have one supreme reason for living, and it is not to obtain financial security, popularity, or material success, or to look forward to the next vacation. The question that needs to be addressed is: Will we read His instructions about how we must live to please our Creator or suffer the consequences? Pity the person who is wasting the few short years of his life chasing social and financial goals while failing to achieve the purpose for which God created him.
Jesus asked a sobering question: Why call. . . . Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46). Obviously, you can't do something you don't know so, He calls upon us to read His Guide to Life.
We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men (II Corinthians 5:9-11).
Christ Revealed:
By Jeremiah's sorrow over Jerusalem at her fall (Lamentations 1:12-22). Jesus expressed His sorrow over Jerusalem's failure to come to Him before it fell again (Matthew 23:37-38; Luke 13:34-35).
Word Studies:
1:3 between the straits = where there was no way out; 1:4 solemn feasts = appointed assemblies; 1:9 came down wonderfully = had a horrifying fall; 1:14 wreathed = joined together; 2:12 their soul was poured out into = they died in.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for BP Staff: George Kopchak · Country: Panama (3 million) in southern Central America · Major languages: Spanish and English · Limited religious freedom · 78% Roman Catholic; 12% Protestant; 5% Muslim; .1% Eastern Orthodox
Prayer Suggestion: Offering praise and thanks to God is a sacrifice pleasing to Him (Hebrews 13:15).
Prayer Suggestion: Offering praise and thanks to God is a sacrifice pleasing to Him (Hebrews 13:15).
Optional Reading: Revelation 4
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 12:1