Day 53 – Woe is me. (Lamentations)

“You’re only sorry because you got caught.”  Ever heard that saying?  I think there is some truth to it.  Sometimes, it takes getting caught to cause us to pause our bad behavior long enough to reflect on it.  Other times, it seems that our sorrow is merely in the inability to keep doing the bad thing we so enjoyed.  Based on Lamentations, which side of that fence do you suppose Israel and Judah were on?

Jerusalem was invaded and conquered…”how lonely sits the city”. (1:1)  There are no festivals, no socializing at the gates, and the priests and elders are dead.  God “has cut down in fierce anger all the might of Israel; he has withdrawn them his right hand in the face of the enemy. (2:3)  The people know that God’s withdrawal and lack of protection against invasion is justified based on their behavior.  “The Lord is in the right, for I have rebelled against his word.” (1:18)  Their situation is deserved, but they are downright miserable!  Soooo…here comes the begging and pleading to the Lord…where was all this contrition when the prophets pleaded with them to repent and warned them of pending judgment?

God’s people know how to make it right.  “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!” (3:40)  They know that they must acknowledge their sin, repent, accept their punishment, and follow  God’s commandments.  “Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored!  Renew our days as of old.” (5:21)  This is a fine request as long as their intention is to be renewed and restored in their relationship with God and not to be restored back to a time of greed, lust, deceit, and self-centeredness.

My prayer today:

Lord, I know that I am not so different from the people of Judah and Israel.  I want to be in your good graces while enjoying all of the earthly pleasures.  Help me to take the time to regularly reflect on my intentions and behaviors so that my regret and sorrow is genuine.  Let me alter my behavior as an expression of love to you rather than a reaction to the destruction I’ve caused.  Grow my character and relationship with you through the process of conviction and repentance.  Thank you for the patience you show me along the way.  Amen

Add a comment July 9, 2010