2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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IS GOD YOUR PORTION?
AUG 30
Lamentations 3
Memorise Lamentations 3:24 "Great is thy faithfulness"
IS GOD YOUR PORTION?
Since most part of the book of Lamentations is, well, Jeremiah’s lamentations over the destruction of Jerusalem, it is easy to understand how the tone of the whole book does seem rather bleak. However, amidst all the sorrow and sadness comes a passage that speaks of a remarkable hope and positivity. Yes, God in His divine wrath and perfect justice has seen fit to bring about all this devastation upon Judah, but that does not mean that all hope is gone and God is no longer faithful. We see how Jeremiah in Lamentations 3 exhibits a steadfast faith and trust in the Lord, as he finds hope in recalling the mercies of God. Though he is indeed facing terrible afflictions, and he feels like his "strength and hope is perished from the LORD" (Lamentations 3:18), he was humbled to remember that no matter what, God’s compassions will never fail, and it was only of the Lord’s mercies that He was not consumed (Lamentations 3:22). Thus he breaks into a stunning exaltation of God’s compassion and faithfulness, that "they are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:23). For the rest of the chapter, his tone changes from one of despair and despondency to one of hope and expectation.
We ask, how could Jeremiah find such hope in the midst of all his troubles? The answer comes in Lamentations 3:24, where he says "The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him". What he means here is that for him, God is enough, sufficient for all his needs. He desires nothing more than for God to be his allotment, his inheritance. When God is with him, and he is assured of His faithfulness, he is comforted. In this, Jeremiah shows his deep faith and devotion to God, for though he is faced with all these sore trials and calamities, though he sees Jerusalem laid waste, he knows that God’s portion for him is always the best, and there can be no better thing than to hope in the Lord. God is always gracious, and will never punish too much, but also show mercy in withholding punishment. He knows that the best thing he can do at this point of time is to wait quietly upon the Lord for His salvation. He is content to know that God is in control, and there is no better place to be than in His care.
Do we have such faith in the Lord? When faced with a myriad of trials and difficulties, are we too able to declare that the Lord is our portion, and that we can trust fully in His will?
Thought: Thou my everlasting portion, more than friend or life to me.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be content in Thy everlasting portion.
Posted in Teens RPG
Lamentations 3
Memorise Lamentations 3:24 "Great is thy faithfulness"
IS GOD YOUR PORTION?
Since most part of the book of Lamentations is, well, Jeremiah’s lamentations over the destruction of Jerusalem, it is easy to understand how the tone of the whole book does seem rather bleak. However, amidst all the sorrow and sadness comes a passage that speaks of a remarkable hope and positivity. Yes, God in His divine wrath and perfect justice has seen fit to bring about all this devastation upon Judah, but that does not mean that all hope is gone and God is no longer faithful. We see how Jeremiah in Lamentations 3 exhibits a steadfast faith and trust in the Lord, as he finds hope in recalling the mercies of God. Though he is indeed facing terrible afflictions, and he feels like his "strength and hope is perished from the LORD" (Lamentations 3:18), he was humbled to remember that no matter what, God’s compassions will never fail, and it was only of the Lord’s mercies that He was not consumed (Lamentations 3:22). Thus he breaks into a stunning exaltation of God’s compassion and faithfulness, that "they are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:23). For the rest of the chapter, his tone changes from one of despair and despondency to one of hope and expectation.
We ask, how could Jeremiah find such hope in the midst of all his troubles? The answer comes in Lamentations 3:24, where he says "The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him". What he means here is that for him, God is enough, sufficient for all his needs. He desires nothing more than for God to be his allotment, his inheritance. When God is with him, and he is assured of His faithfulness, he is comforted. In this, Jeremiah shows his deep faith and devotion to God, for though he is faced with all these sore trials and calamities, though he sees Jerusalem laid waste, he knows that God’s portion for him is always the best, and there can be no better thing than to hope in the Lord. God is always gracious, and will never punish too much, but also show mercy in withholding punishment. He knows that the best thing he can do at this point of time is to wait quietly upon the Lord for His salvation. He is content to know that God is in control, and there is no better place to be than in His care.
Do we have such faith in the Lord? When faced with a myriad of trials and difficulties, are we too able to declare that the Lord is our portion, and that we can trust fully in His will?
Thought: Thou my everlasting portion, more than friend or life to me.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be content in Thy everlasting portion.
Posted in Teens RPG