Today you should read: Lamentations 4
Today we continue our journey through Lamentations. This book documents the prophet’s lament over the sins of God’s people. Sin is a horrible taskmaster… just ask Samson or David or king Nebuchadnezzar – they’ll tell you that consequences of sin are not worth the pleasure of it.
Look the price God’s people paid for their sin:
See how the precious children of Jerusalem, worth their weight in fine gold, are now treated like pots of clay made by a common potter. (v.2)
The parched tongues of their little ones stick to the roofs of their mouths in thirst. The children cry for bread, but no one has any to give them. The people who once ate the richest foods now beg in the streets for anything they can get. Those who once wore the finest clothes now search the garbage dumps for food. (v.4-5)
Exile – starvation – loss of joy – all the price of sin. Finally, God’s anger has been satisfied (v.11).
This passage should remind us of several things.
- Sin always has consequences. Sin separates.
But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. Isaiah 59:2
- God’s discipline for His children is perfect. It’s never vindictive or punitive – always restorative.
God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:10-11
- How thankful we should be that Jesus took God’s wrath for our sin on the cross – so that we don’t have to.
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17
- Understanding these things should make me want to obey God and fight sin.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age. Titus 2:11-12
- What has God said to you today through this study?
- How is He, in His grace giving you a chance to make some changes?
By: Tim Parsons — Lead Pastor
JumpstartCPC.com 