- Judah has gone into exile because of affliction and hard servitude; she dwells now among the nations, but finds no resting place; her pursuers have all overtaken her in the midst of her distress. Lamentations 1:3 – Lamentations is thought to be written by the prophet Jeremiah closely after the fall of Judah. In this book we see his heartbreak after seeing the people he warned to turn from sin not listen and begin seeing the coming pain he tried to tell them would come. He also is broken seeing the holy temple of God being ransacked and destroyed by these pagan nations. In verse 3 we see this image of the people now dwelling in these foreign nations after being carried away from there homes, but finding no resting place. Imagine being somewhere but not having the peace or safety there to close your eyes to rest. This was the new normal for the people of Judah. As we read these next few chapters hold tight to what verse 18 says, “but hear, all you peoples, and see my suffering.” See and learn from the pain these people went through because they stubbornly wouldn’t let go of their sin. Let’s turn away from sin so our story doesn’t turn into theirs. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1359
- Her uncleanness was in her skirts; she took no thought of her future; therefore her fall is terrible; she has no comforter. “O Lord, behold my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed!” Lamentations 1:9 – Context for the new book study…Lamentations is a short book of written down songs of sorrow that were sung or prayed after the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. Over and over the people of God rejected Him and turned to other sins, idols, and neighboring lands to enjoy and find their protection in. After warning them through the prophets numerous times of what would take place if they trusted and followed these other things, finally God brought on His people the punishment for their actions. As we read through these chapters we gain a small sense of the deep sorrow and lamentation that came from God’s people who tasted His judgement. Our passage above shows a key reason why they experienced such devastation. Jerusalem took no thought of her future. She lived for the here and now, not giving tomorrow a second thought and what might happen as a result of her actions. The pleasures in the moment blinded her from seeing the pains of tomorrow because of such actions. We so often see this in our day as well, where people are experiencing deep pains and sorrows because they made a choice without considering the future consequences. Maybe even you today are suffering still because of choices you made in the past that had no consideration of the long-lasting effects they would bring to you. While we can’t change the decision of the past, we can determine the decision we’ll make today. Learn from today’s passage that the momentary pleasure of sin is not worth the lasting desolation it brings. Choose a life of holiness that brings joy today and eternal blessing for tomorrow. The pleasure of sin today is not worth all the hurt it will bring you in the future. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2734
Daily DEVO 