Scripture Nugget 6.9.2017
Scripture Read Lamentations 1-5
Nugget Lamentations 3:19-33, 40-42, 55-58
“The thought of my affliction and my homelessness is wormwood and gall! My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one would wait quietly for the salivation of the LORD. It is good for one to bear the yoke in youth, to sit alone in silence when the Lord has imposed it, to put one’s mouth to the dust (there may yet be hope), to give one’s cheek to the smiter, and be filled with insults. For the Lord will not reject forever. Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; fore he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.” … “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD. Let us lift up our hearts as well as our hands to God in heaven. We have transgressed and rebelled, and you have not forgiven.” … “I called on your name, O LORD, from the depths of the pit; you heard my pleas, ‘Do not close your ear to my cry for help, but give me relief!’ You came near when I called on you; you said, ‘Do not fear!’ You have taken up my cause, O Lord, you have redeemed my life.”
Devotional Thought: “Wesleyan Core Term, Convincing Grace – Many understand grace as God’s assistance or comfort in times of trial or need. But salvation requires more than a warm smile from the Divine. A basic prerequisite is the necessity for a person to realize that he or she stands in need as a sinner before God, as seen in Lam 3. Unless a person recognizes that condition, there is no real hope for salvation. When we don’t recognize sin as a basic reality in our lives, the message of God’s salvation falls on deaf ears. God’s presence and power (grace) is not just a comforting thought. When Jesus says, ‘Remember I am with you always’ (Matt 28:20b), the implication is that one cannot escape the presence of God, even on occasions when one thinks, says, or does things that are sinful. Christ’s presence (convicting/convincing grace) helps us recognize such sinfulness, which is often called the conviction of sin. This recognition of our sinful condition is a necessary prerequisite to repentance.” (Wesley Study Bible, pg 978)
Read the whole of Lamentations corporately applying to the Church, then read it applying to self. Sin is a life taker, sin separates me/you/us from God. Selfishness, self-centeredness (individual and congregational); prophets – sent to lead and correct, who shy away or are not listened to over a long period of time end up promoting that separation. Spiritual death occurs and we lament, asked how, and why? “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD. Let us lift up our hearts as well as our hands to God in heaven. We have transgressed and rebelled.” (Lam 3:40-42a)