Reading Lamentations 3 - 5
My Verse: 3:22,23 "It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness."
The author mourns and recounts with agony the misery of Israel's punishment. But, he recognizes that the punishment is deserved and it is only because of "the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed."
You, Lord, do not want to puinish - this was not the plan. "For He does not willingly and from His heart afflict or grieve the children of men." (v.3:33)
You punish that we would turn to You and be freed from the bondage of sin. "The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him." (v. 25) In Ezekiel 37:25-27 You tell us, "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness; and from all your idols will I cleanse you. A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you shall heed My ordinances and do them."
Oh, Lord, what hope! We do not need to wallow in our sinful misery. Help me Lord to "test and examine" my ways for - "The Lord is my portion and share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him." (v. 3:24)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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