Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Being vulnerable before others......

The prophet Jeremiah is an incredible person who is willing to wear his emotions on his sleeve. He opens his heart before the world so that we can hear, and be a part of his life. The book of Lamentations is his diary and we weep with him as he visually shows us the last days of Jerusalem. It is a book of incredible sadness and weariness with only the bright light in Lam 3:22 to remind the reader that God is ever faithful. The last chapter shows how weary Jeremiah has become as he has watched the beauty of Jerusalem become a tattered city. It is like watching a person go from riches to rags in a matter of time. We are seeing this unfold before us in our world of foreclosures of today. Once on top of the world only to now be at the pit wondering what has gone wrong and what will the future be like. Jeremiah although knowing all that was to transpire was in the last chapter wondering if God had indeed forgotten them. How often do even believers go through a tough time and wonder, God have you forgotten me? Are you so angry that it cannot be resolved? Jeremiah must have felt a similar pang in his heart as he has watched it all unfold.

Time time...reminds me of Eccl..there is a time ...and Jeremiah must have been thinking ...there is a time for joy and a time for mourning and this was his time to mourn and wonder. How many of the prophets were faithful to present God's Word but just like Habakkuk Jeremiah wondered, God where are you? They were as vulnerable in their emotions as we often are. It is comforting to know that even strong prophets like Habakkuk and Jeremiah had the same feelings and they too wondered about the plan unfolding.

In the midst of all of his wondering we come to Lam 3:22 The Lord’s loyal kindness never ceases; his compassions never end. They are fresh every morning; your faithfulness is abundant! This is how Jeremiah kept looking heavenward. When circumstances seem overwhelming and beyond our scope we too can echo these words to comfort ourselves and keep our eternal perspective.

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