TEXT: LAMENTATIONS 3:1-21
Key Verse: “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope” (Lamentations 3:21).
One of the terrible consequences of living in sin is
that the Almighty God will not answer the prayer of the sinner. Jeremiah
was grieved at the sin of the nation and wanted them to repent. Prayer
without repentance from sin is like mocking God. Forgiveness must be
preceded by genuine repentance and a complete turnaround.
God is merciful and compassionate. Jeremiah knew that God’s heart would be touched to show mercy if His people turned to Him in full repentance. This knowledge gave him hope. “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope”. Hope is the vehicle that drives the sinner’s desire for repentance and the believer’s commitment and steadfastness.
Although God is merciful, He also punishes those who disobey Him. He does not spare the rod. On several occasions He turned His back against Israel and they suffered defeat in the hands of their enemies. The frequent disobedience of the children of Israel and their habitual murmuring against God resulted in the death of many of those who joyfully left Egypt for Canaan land.
God has not changed: He still punishes sinners today.
Those who suffer all manner of afflictions need to re-examine themselves to make sure it is not as a result of abandoning God’s ways that they are going through such. Though individuals and nations act as if there is no more punishment for sins here and here after, God is immutable and cannot change His word and consequences for sin.
There is hope of forgiveness and cleansing because of God’s merciful and compassionate disposition. Wait no longer, repent now and come to Him. He will forgive and abundantly pardon.
God is merciful and compassionate. Jeremiah knew that God’s heart would be touched to show mercy if His people turned to Him in full repentance. This knowledge gave him hope. “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope”. Hope is the vehicle that drives the sinner’s desire for repentance and the believer’s commitment and steadfastness.
Although God is merciful, He also punishes those who disobey Him. He does not spare the rod. On several occasions He turned His back against Israel and they suffered defeat in the hands of their enemies. The frequent disobedience of the children of Israel and their habitual murmuring against God resulted in the death of many of those who joyfully left Egypt for Canaan land.
God has not changed: He still punishes sinners today.
Those who suffer all manner of afflictions need to re-examine themselves to make sure it is not as a result of abandoning God’s ways that they are going through such. Though individuals and nations act as if there is no more punishment for sins here and here after, God is immutable and cannot change His word and consequences for sin.
There is hope of forgiveness and cleansing because of God’s merciful and compassionate disposition. Wait no longer, repent now and come to Him. He will forgive and abundantly pardon.
Thought for the Day:
A broken and contrite heart God will not despise.
Culled from DCLM Daily Manner devotional Archives
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