PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Lamentations 1-2
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You have slaughtered them without pity.” (Lamentations 2:21)
This book is really hard, it describes horrible suffering, and it blames God.
So is this true, that God slaughtered his people without pity?
As far as Jeremiah is concerned, this is what it feels like.
He knows that it is the Babylonians who are actually doing the slaughtering.
He knows that it is because of Israel’s sin that they are suffering.
But he also believes that God is in charge overall, and controls what happens down here.
How do we make sense of this, is God the one slaughtering people without pity?
Sorry but I do not believe this is true; the Lord I know in Jesus does not do this.
What I see is a God that is weeping as the people weep, a God that is sad.
Yes, God is also mad at the injustice, violence, cruel greed and lust.
The people had chosen to do life their own way, without God, with other gods.
And so God lets them have their way, and they experience life without God.
God lets go, and allows people the freedom to wander and struggle.
But God never slaughters; in pity God suffers with, even dies with, out of pity.
PRAYER
Lord, you have shown me how God weeps and suffers with me, for me. I do not blame you for our suffering, but I cling to you for pity, for forgiveness, for help.
“The Lord is righteous, yet I rebelled against his command…The Lord has done what he planned; he has fulfilled his word, which he decreed long ago.” Miserable consequences of their behaviour over the many years – cycles of warning, punishment and repentance. It is that way for me to – I slip – may I learn quickly and nip things in-the-bud – before they become full-blown. Lord, I see progress even though I slip – you are gracious and forgiving – HS continue to work in me and help me cut those cycles short – in-the-bud!
Once again the people did what was right in their own eyes and went their own way, forgetting the Lord their God. They were having their life their way, not His. Life without the Lord is not life at all. Once again the people in distress need to cry unto the Lord to save them for their own hands. Only God can save them. They/I need to take hold of God each day anew and live in His presence doing what He requires me to do. Serve Him! Always. Only in Him do I have true life.
Not what my hands have done can save my guilty soul;
Not what my toiling body works can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or what I do can give me peace with God;
Not all my prayers nor cries nor tears can bear this heavy load.
Thy work alone, O precious Christ, can ease this weight of sin;
Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, can give me peace within.
Thy love alone, O Father God, is what my spirit needs
Now rid me of this dark unrest, and set this captive free
Your voice alone, O Lord, can speak to me of grace;
Your power alone, O Lord, does all my sin erase.
No other work but Yours, no other blood will do;
No other strength but Your great power can bear me safely through.