THE STORY OF JESUS: Lamentations 1-3
“For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.” (Lamentations 3:33)
It is not pleasant to imagine the horrible things described here.
What makes it harder is that God is viewed as the cause (not blame) for it.
“The Lord is like an enemy; he has swallowed up Israel.” (Lamentations 2:5)
But the author also recognizes that God’s heart is not behind it.
God does not willingly allow suffering, but sometimes He has no choice.
When we keep stubbornly running away, sometimes He reluctantly lets us.
Our world is the mess it is because God allows us the freedom to choose.
God is not punishing us, He is showing us what life is like without Him.
As long as sin remains in the world, suffering will remain in the world.
But God’s heart breaks as it does, and He joins us in our misery.
“His compassions never fail. They are new every morning! (Lamentations 3:22)
The root meaning of the word compassion is ‘to suffer with’.
Jesus suffered with and for us to break the grip of sin and suffering.
We may be suffering now, but God suffers with us, He will help us through it.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I’d prefer that You would end suffering, but that is not how it works. Help us feel Your presence through the darkness and Your strength through suffering.