Let us search and try our ways and turn again to the Lord. Lamentations 3:40 KJV
Scholars traditionally attribute the book of Lamentations to the prophet Jeremiah. Lamentations is a series of sorrowful poems that deal with the destruction of the city of Jerusalem. The third chapter of Lamentations is a hopeful poem. In it, the author deals with the chastisement of the city by God as a good thing that will lead to repentance and restoration. It is in this chapter we encounter this verse encouraging wayward believers to turn again to the Lord.
Lamentations 3:1 begins the poem stating, “I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. WEB” Clearly things have not gone well because the people of the city have lived lives that are offensive to God. For the first twenty versus, the book continues to describe the affliction and misery that result from turning away from God.
From that point on, the poem begins to show hope. Detailing the character of God as compassionate and good, the writer gives understanding that the Lord will forgive a repentant city that has learned a strong lesson from its rebelliousness. God is full of lovingkindness and yet his righteousness causes him to correct those he loves. He is patient but hates sin. For this reason, the word of God urges that sinful people repent and turn again to the Lord.
A Model for Repentance
The verse we are considering today is a model for repentance. It is concerned with understanding the foolishness of sinful ways and the redeeming value of turning to the Lord. The scripture is followed by this from Lamentations 3:41-42, “Let’s lift up our heart with our hands to God in the heavens. We have transgressed and have rebelled. You have not pardoned. WEB” Here we see that the offenders have admitted their rebelliousness and sin.
When we are wrong, one thing we know is that God is always right. The good news for anyone who has suffered sorrow because of sin is that the Lord is loving and forgiving. When we confess our sin and turn again to the Lord, he is faithful to forgive us. After that, to avoid judgment and more sorrows, we should live life in obedience to his will.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the lessons in your holy word. Thank you for forgiveness of sin. I choose to live in obedience to you. Give me the things I will need to serve your purpose today. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Rejoice in Our Sufferings
