Lamentations

Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:1-7, 15-19

C.I.: Jeremiah's Third Dirge over Jerusalem, (Chapter 3)

This series… – Today we will conclude this series – by seeing the only hope Jeremiah has for Israel.

I. Jeremiah's Hope, (chapter 3:19-38)

A. Outward Affliction yet Inward Hope, (vs. 19-24)

1. ( vs. 19-20 ), “Remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and bitterness. –
Surely my soul remembers and is bowed down within me.”
a. “Depression” = Despair with commitment!” – How can we keep from getting to this point?!
1) It is the focus of our mind that determines – the direction of our lives.
2) If Jeremiah stayed with this line of thinking – he would have sunk into a depression.

b. ( v. 21 ), “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.”
1) It begins with a change (repentance?) in our thinking – ( Lk. 15:17 ), “But when he
came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father's hire men have more than….'”
2) ( Psa. 27:13 ), “I would have despaired unless I had believed I would see the goodness
3) ( Phil. 3:13-14 ), “…1 thing I do: forgetting what lies behind, reaching forward to….”
4) Jeremiah's “hope” comes from “recall [-ing different things to his] mind”!!!

2. While focusing now on God's judgment – Jeremiah “recalls” God's goodness…
a. “The Lord's loving-kindness never ceases,” = Even in carrying out the curses of Deut. 28.
1) “… for His compassions never fail.” – God has not abandoned them… remnant!
2) God's love can never be exhausted (praise amid trials) = “ new every morning;”
3) “… great is Thy faithfulness,‘ = God will be faithful to us & His nature, I Jn. 1: 9.
4) “… The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, ‘Therefore I will hope in Him,'” – “What
slice of the pie that the world has to offer?” – I'LL TAKE THE LORD!!!

B. Seven Principles to Remember in the Midst of Affliction, (vs. 25-40)

1. #1. Affliction can be endured by those who “…wait upon the Lord,” ( vs. 25-30 ).
a. “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him,” ( v. 25 ).
1) Greatest test of OUR faith – is our willingness to wait for God's ends to be achieved.
2) We live in a “microwave culture” – and want everything now !! – “Waiting” requires:
3) No complaints! – “It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the Lord” v. 26
4) Grow from it! – “It is good for a man to bear the yoke of his youth. - Let him sit
alone and be silent, since He has laid it on him.” – ( quote Jms. 1:2-4; I Pt. 4:16 ).
5) Learn to trust/humility! – “Let him put his mouth to the dust, perhaps there is hope. –
Let him give his cheek to the smiter; – “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but
not thinking of yourself at all!” ( I Pt. 5:6 ), “Humble yourself under the mighty
hand of God, and He will exalt you at the right time!”

2. #2. Affliction is only temporary but God's compassion & love are eternal, ( vs. 31-32 )
a. “For the Lord will not reject forever, for He causes grief, then He will have C. according to…
1) God's hand is in the affliction – but so is His compassion & loving-kindness!
2) Quote II Cor. 4:18; I Pt. 1:6-7 , “We do not look….” – “…even though now, for a
little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of
your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, may be found to result
in praise, and glory & honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” – I Cor. 13:13!

3. #3. God does not delight in affliction, ( vs. 33 ).
a. “For He does not afflict from His heart, or grieve the sons of men.”
1) Why do we believe we deserve His blessings ( Lk. 17:10 ) – but not His discipline?!
2) All that we receive from the hand of God – we receive because of His love for us!!!
3) ( Heb. 12:6,11b ), “Everyone whom…,” – “…those who have been trained by it….”

4. #4. If affliction comes because of injustice, God sees it and does not approve of it, ( v. 34-36 ).
a. “To deprive a man of justice in the presence of the Most High, to defraud a man in his lawsuit
– of these things the Lord does not approve.”
1) While God allows all affliction – God is not pleased by those who bring it.
2) ( Jn. 19:10-11 ), “‘Do You know that I have authority to release You & authority...?'”

5. #5. Affliction must always be seen in relationship to God's sovereignty, ( vs. 37-38 ).
a. “Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? – Is it not
from the Most High that both good and ill will go forth?”
1) Since God allows all affliction – our having affliction shows God is still in charge.
2) ( Job 2:10 ), “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not adversity?”
3) ( Quote I Cor. 10:13; James 1:5 ), “No temptation…” – “If any of you lacks wisdom...

6. #6. Affliction ultimately comes because of sin, ( v. 39 ).
a. “Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins?”
1) Most of the time our afflictions arise due to our own sins – ( Hos. 8:1, 7 ), “They have
transgressed My covenant, and rebelled against My law … They sow the wind….”
2) But sometimes affliction comes because of the sins of others – ( II Tim. 3:12 ).

7. #7. Affliction should (therefore) produce a return to God, ( v. 40 ).
a. “Let us examine and probe our ways, and let us return to the Lord.”
1) If it is our own sin which is bringing God's loving affliction upon us – then God is
the one to whom we should turn to (return to) for help.
2) ( Jer. 3:12 ), “Return, faithless Israel, I will not look upon you in anger. – For I am
gracious; I will not be angry forever.”
3) ( Acts 3:19 ), “Repent therefore and return, in order that your sins….”
4) ( Acts 2:38 ), “Repent, and be baptized, everyone of you…..

CONCLUSIONS: