That is about where I am at in my bible reading.
Judah has been completely destroyed. Despair and hopelessness, anguish and rejection abound. After hundreds of years of being rejected by His own, God has finally rejected them. His hand of protection has lifted and enemies from all around, surround and take captive. the children of Israel.
Each morning this week I have woken up to the anticipation of Lamentations. Let's just say it has been a little harder to get out of bed! I am sad for these people. I am sad for the babies with parched mouths, for those slain with hunger, for the shed blood of the just (if there really were any), and for those who had been utterly rejected by their Creator. . .
Or so it would seem for about 400 more years.
Even though I know the end of the story, every one of those taken captive ended their days with the fierce anger of the Lord upon them. Their crowns would never be restored and the streets would remain desolate.
God was dealing with them, punishing them for their rebellious ways and for the rebellious ways of their fathers. And He had a question for them:
"Can your heart endure, or can your hands remain strong in the days when I shall deal with you?" Ezekiel 22:14
Is the Lord asking you this question in your current circumstance? Is your heart growing faint like the hearts of the Israelites did during their difficult days, their difficult life when women became widows and fathers lost their daughters and their inheritance was turned over to strangers?
I am not saying that our difficulties are due to our own rebellious ways against the Lord, although I do believe that as a nation we are headed in that direction. But we all live through difficult seasons and I believe the Lord has a purpose for the pain. And when He is dealing with us or them or with the situation there is hope that HIS WILL will prevail even if we don't ever see it this side of heaven.
Sometimes it seems God is distant and sometimes it seems He is silent, but remember the 400 years of silence? A miracle was brewing. It had to be God's timing and when we are waiting for God's timing 400 years is a long time. But to Him it was the perfect time.
And in the meantime, God is dealing with you and your heart. David says in Psalm 27 that the Lord strengthens the hearts of those who wait on Him. In Jeremiah's anguish in Lamentations I found hope. Yes, we will be afflicted by the weight of pain, but through the Lord's mercies we will not be consumed.
Great is His Faithfulness
"For the Lord will not cast us off forever. Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies." Lamentations 3:31
The Bible is both an action and a love story. Hopelessness will not prevail in this story. The prince will return riding His white horse to take back His bride, to make all things new! The enemy will be defeated, and for us and our hearts . . .
"God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4
I pray you see the light of hope in your darkest days. I pray you draw near to God and listen for that still small voice saying, "Do not fear!" (Lamentations 3:57) I pray for redemption of what has been lost and for restoration as it was in the days of old. And I pray for God's timing in it all.
Blessings to you!
Rachael
Linking with:
Fellowship Fridays
Imperfect Prose
Tell His Story
Tell Me A Story
The Weekend Brew