Lamentations 1-5 – August 24 & 25

The prophets and spiritual didn’t correct the people of Israel; instead, they told them there would be peace. Jeremiah said it this way in Lamentations 2:14, “Your prophets have seen for you False and deceptive visions; They have not uncovered your iniquity, To bring back your captives, But have envisioned for you false prophecies and delusions.” As a result, the people continued to wander deeper and deeper into sin.

I can’t imagine what Jeremiah was going through after the destruction of Jerusalem and after so many people had died. His despair must have been great when he said, "My strength and my hope have perished from the LORD” in Lamentations 3:18. After this, he changes his outlook after he began to think again upon who the LORD is instead of only the circumstances. He said in Lamentations 3:21-24, “This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" We can feel hopeless when bad things happen, but if we will meditate on Who God is, hope will be restored. Jeremiah goes on to say in Lamentations 3:31-33, “For the Lord will not cast off forever. Though He causes grief, Yet He will show compassion According to the multitude of His mercies. For He does not afflict willingly, Nor grieve the children of men.” Jeremiah has the realization that the LORD didn’t desire to bring judgment. “He does not afflict willingly;” it was a last resort to a wicked people. Jeremiah begins to have hope that the LORD will restore Israel because of His compassion and mercy.