Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
How deserted lies the city, once so full of people! How like a widow is she, who was once great among the nations! She who was queen among the provinces has now become a slave. Bitterly she weeps at night, tears are upon her cheeks. Among her lovers there is none to comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies. After affliction and harsh labor, Judah has gone into exile. She dwells among the nations; she finds no resting place. All who pursue her have overtaken her in the midst of her distress. The roads to Zion mourn, for no one comes to her appointed feasts. All her gateways are desolate, her priests groan, her maidens grieve, and she is in bitter anguish. Her foes have become her masters; her enemies are at ease. The Lord has brought her grief because of her many sins. Her children have gone into exile, captive before the foe. All the splendor has departed from the Daughter of Zion.
– Lamentations 1:1-6a
Devotion
In chapter 52 of Jeremiah, we have the record of the fall and captivity of Judah. As prophesied, God would allow His people to be taken into Babylonian captivity. Jeremiah then writes a series of “laments” or funeral songs for the nation. In these “laments”, Jeremiah reflects on the total destruction that has happened to Jerusalem and the temple. But he recognizes that all of this is the judgment of a righteous God. Knowing that God is merciful, he appeals for mercy in prayer to God. In the book of Lamentations, the spirit of Jeremiah is revealed. There is no exultation over the fulfillment of his prophecies. His heart is truly breaking over condition of God’s people. Judah chose the way of the world and therefore God’s splendor departed!
The Big Question
Judah’s fate could have been avoided. It was after many years of rebellion that they found themselves in such a dark place. This judgment was the direct result of their sin and rebellion against God. There are times in our lives when we find ourselves in dark places because of our sin. When the Holy Spirit reveals our sin to us, we have a choice. We can pridefully ignore God’s prompts designed to restore our relationship with Him, or we can respond with a repentant heart and allow our relationship with Him to be restored. What about you? Is there anything interfering in your relationship with God today? If so, what will you do?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence reflecting on what God has revealed to you today.