Lamentations 3:37-39 “Who has spoken and it came to pass,
unless the Lord has commanded it?
Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
that good and bad come? Why should a living man complain,
a man, about the punishment of his sins?”
Everyone is on a path…..
How we view the path can determine the manner in which we travel that road. The journey can be difficult, actually it can be very difficult if we are honest about it. For some people life seems like a joyful walk that only meets unexpected challenges, for others it seems like and endless drudgery with occasional moments of happiness, however we see it the world continues to transcend further into darkness every day. If our focus is not balanced in godly perspective, we could become disillusioned.
A famous news anchor once signed off by declaring at the end of his 28 year career his concern for America , “I believe in this place and my love of country I yield to no one. But the darkness on the edge of town has spread to the main roads and highways and neighborhoods. It’s now at the local bar, and the bowling alley at the school board in the grocery store.”
If the world is indeed descending into darkness, what does that mean for God’s people?
Most people have seen the reality of this evil world and it’s become more prominent than ever before, but the path of the righteous has been established by the Lord and their future is in His hands.
Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.’“
What path are you on?
Does it make you frustrated when you see someone always bouncing around, full of life and joy? There are times in life when the world seems just a little brighter and times when the darkness seems to overwhelm, the way we view circumstances can determine our response.
I’ve been reading a short handbook on my lunch breaks called, “Messiology” by George Verwer. George is the founder of Operation Mobilization with over 50 years of ministry under his belt. The title today is in honor of this small, little booklet that is packed with wisdom.
The book of Lamentations seemed like a good place to start when it comes to attitude. The prophet Jeremiah wrote the book of songs and poems not long after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian empire in 586 B.C..
Its purpose was how in the midst of despair, God teaches people that even though disobedience to the Lord results in immense suffering and distress, repentance leads to life. Jeremiah pours out his emotions in compassion, and empathy for God’s nation, as he watches them exiled to a foreign land.
Why So Sad?
I wouldn’t suggest reading Lamentations unless your prepared to feel the sorrow of that time. The rich imagery brings to the surface a failed people who thought forsaking God would have no consequence.
Lamentations 1:7 “Jerusalem remembers in the days of her affliction and wandering all the precious things that were hers from days of old. When her people fell into the hand of the foe, and there was none to help her, her foes gloated over her; they mocked at her downfall.”
What was it that brought this once great nation down to its knees in shame?
One word: SIN
The breaking of God’s laws is to rebel against His righteousness, and even though everyone sins, this doesn’t justify the action.
There seems to be a pervailing social conscience that attempts to justify the individual based off the conscience of society. If everyone is doing it, it must be right, the twisted thinking goes. When the consequence of sin manifests through this backward thinking, blame is shifted to everyone else but the one doing the sinning. If enough people believe this way, the nation suffers and the dread of darkness grows.
What causes distress among us?
Is it the consequence of sin or is it the consequence of judgement?
Sin has its own recourse, it brings judgement in its own right. The destructive nature of sin is the darkened path of self-indulgence, pride, lust, lying, and host of other sins that are easy to fall into and hard to break.
Lamentations 1:20 “Look, O LORD, for I am in distress; my stomach churns; my heart is wrung within me, because I have been very rebellious. In the street the sword bereaves; in the house it is like death.”
Sin can seem like fun until the tune has ended and the reality of actions comes to fruition.
Consider God’s warning before you take that next step toward sin…
Deuteronomy 30:19 “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live”
Making Decisions
This is the scenario: you have a prospective course of action that you can take and yet you’re not certain what actions to follow, whatever path path that is you should be aware of the consequences.
I’ve learned to consider that for every action there is a consequence. If I ask myself a few questions before I make the decision, it can help keep me from making another error.
- What have I learned from previous mistakes that helps me in making a decision today?
- Am I going to make the same mistake again, hoping for a different outcome?
- Is my decision founded in honoring the Lord or in honoring myself?
The decision you make can have lasting repercussions.
Lamentations 3:1-3 “I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath.
He has led me and made me walk
In darkness and not in light.
Surely He has turned His hand against me
Time and time again throughout the day.”
Remember the pain and hopelessness that came about from the sins you previously committed, don’t be fooled by a world that brings a charade of false promises.
A wise approach to a particularly difficult circumstance would be to first pray, then seek godly wisdom. Wisdom can come by way of the Word or through seeking advice from others. It is in these moments where the strength of the church shines, finding someone who you can trust and has the experience from walking with the Lord can be valuable asset.
A wise mentor will take the Word of God and show you how your circumstances can be directed in righteousness and truth.
Lamentations 3:25-27 “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the Lord.
It is good for a man to bear
The yoke in his youth.”
A Good Outlook
The way we see this world is directly connected to our outlook.
Do we see it as hopeless, fearful, and lost to what it used to be? Do you see the world on the scale of God’s sovereign plan as He leads you through it or the hopeless prospect of failure?
There is a hopelessness we observe in people who have grown frustrated, who often place their hope in a failed world, thinking this is all they have to hold onto.
As believers in Christ…this world is not our home. We are aliens here in a strange land, presenting the hope of salvation by way of the gospel and leading others to the cross is our greatest call. The only way for the world to move out of darkness is for them to turn to Christ. His abounding love gives new life to all who would seek Him.
Lamentations 5:19-22 “You, O Lord, remain forever;
Your throne from generation to generation.
Why do You forget us forever,
And forsake us for so long a time?
Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored;
Renew our days as of old,
Unless You have utterly rejected us,
And are very angry with us!”
As those redeemed from sin we are no longer subjected to sin and so we aren’t bound by the hopelessness of its consequence. Many people are still hopeless and lost, and so we have the command to go and make disciples, sharing with them the hope of salvation. The discouragement of what we see in others who have become disillusioned by the world can be the starting point for bringing life to those who have suffered far too long under worldly doctrine.
Isaiah 55:6-7 “Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.”
Believers must show the light of Christ with the hope that others will see the world from a different perspective and draw near to Christ.
The Spirit of God is moving, allow Him to move you in faithfulness to His call and those complainers just might rejoice with you in hope.
U.T. 