- The kings of the earth did not believe, nor any of the inhabitants of the world, that foe or enemy could enter the gates of Jerusalem. Lamentations 4:12 – Jerusalem had been so well fortified it seemed completely impossible that anyone would be able to come in a take over the city. Yet they did and brought massive destruction with them. We must never underestimate the power of God. We may think we can safeguard ourselves from the coming consequences of our sin, but we can’t. The only wall that can stop us from tasting the punishment of death as a result of our sin is Jesus. Nothing else but Jesus can hold back the wrath of God on our sin. Take your shelter in Him, accept the forgiveness and life He is offering to you. The reason the people in our passage today went through what they did was because they chose to shelter under something else than God. Don’t let that be your story. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1362
- How the gold has grown dim, how the pure gold is changed! The holy stones lie scattered at the head of every street. Lamentations 4:1 – Once again our chapter is allowing us a glimpse into the life of those from Judah that were carried away into Babylonian exile. Immediately we see clearly that things are not how they used to be. Their splendor has dimmed. Those who were held in high esteem are now regarded as nothing. While once clean, pure, and full are now they are filthy, unrecognizable, shriveled to the bone. Scripture even says happier were the ones who were killed by the sword for they didn’t have to taste such hunger and suffering. While it’s never enjoyable to see images of suffering like this, whether in person or even just though the pages of scripture, it is needed for us to be reminded of the true result of our sinful choices. Lamentations is all about the suffering that is attached to our choice of sin over God. When God’s people chose sin over Him, they found themselves experiencing the results of such a choice. God didn’t enjoy bringing such calamity on His people, nor does He enjoying seeing us today taste the consequences of sinful choices. If such things did bring Him such joy, why would He go through all the trouble of sending His only Son to die on a cross so we could live apart from sin? Know the pains the people are facing in the pages of Lamentation is not the desire God has for us today. Instead He desires us to live within His rest, under His shelter of protection, and experiencing the fruits of the Spirit that come with a holy life after Him. God’s desire is not lamentation, it’s rejoicing, but know lamentation is path that can be found by us today if sin is our choice over Jesus. Choose the path that will lead to rejoicing. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2737
Daily DEVO 