Dear Missionary Lady,
Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, mourned over the destruction
of Jerusalem. The book of Lamentations reveals his deep sorrow and pain. The
very darkest darkness is found in chapter three.
Verse 2 states, "He hath led me, and brought me into
darkness, but not into light." Following are some of the dark
descriptions. "Seen affliction" (v. 1). "My flesh and my skin
hath he made old" (v. 4). "Compassed me with gall and travail"
(v. 5). "Hath made my chain heavy" (v. 7). "A bear lying in
wait" (v. 10). "Made me desolate" (v. 11). "Removed my soul
far off from peace" (v. 17). "Fear and a snare is come upon us,
desolation and destruction" (v. 47). "Mine eye runneth down with
rivers of water" (v. 48). "Waters flowed over mine head" (v.
54).
Not a pretty picture. Jeremiah was physically affected by
the affliction, crushed in spirit, emotionally overcome, threatened from
without, and just about as low as anyone can get. But that is not the end. In
the midst of all that oppression, Jeremiah turned to prayer - not just casual
or empty prayer - but confident prayer. His confidence was based in His
knowledge of the God to whom he was praying.
You may want to read the whole prayer (vs. 55-66), and notice
how many times Jeremiah remembers God's past and present work. Here is an
abbreviated compilation.
"Thou hast heard my voice" (v. 56). "Thou
drewest near in the day that I called"; "Thou saidst, Fear not"
(v. 57). "Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my
life" (v. 58). "Thou hast seen my wrong" (v. 59). "Thou has
seen all their vengeance" (v. 60). "Thou hast heard their reproach"
(v. 61).
After Jeremiah tells all these things that God has done and
is doing regarding his current situation, he turns to hopeful and confident
prayer, revealing that he earnestly expects God to act on his behalf. Jeremiah translates
God's previous responses into hope for the future.
"Render unto them a recompence, O LORD, according to
the work of their hands. Give them sorrow of heart, thy curse unto them.
Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the LORD"
(vs. 64-66). Some scholars believe those verbs can be translated not as
imperatives, but as future tense: "You will render," "You will
give," and "You will persecute and destroy."
Our situation may not be one of outside attack by people,
and our prayer may not be for judgment upon them, but we can follow Jeremiah's
example in dark days - remembering who God is and what He has done, then
hopefully and confidently expecting and praying for His response on our behalf.
God loves us. We may have to walk through days of pain and
danger, but God is with us. He will not abandon us. We can fully expect to see
God's love, care, and comfort. May this great, loving God hold you close and
encourage you in these difficult days.
Much love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com
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