LAMENTATIONS 5:1-22

Black cloud days are an unfortunate part of life on earth. Maybe the word “unfortunate” doesn’t fit well. Tragic, maybe? Difficult times are a testing of faith. Why? Simply because these are the times to stand in the joy of the LORD, not the time to let go of His joy.

Joy turns to grief when people turn from God

The Hebrew people endured so many trials. Pharaoh wanted them as slaves and after letting them go, pursued them with his army. Grumblers and complainers attacked their leadership. Kingdoms along the way to Canaan opposed and enticed them. In the Promised Land, enemies invaded and brother attacked brother. After the kingdom divided, the northern kingdom evaporated when Assyria came calling. Now, in Jeremiah’s day the wailing and lamenting in the streets bemoans their fate at the hands of Babylon.

There is a common cause and a common solution

When the joy of our heart ceases, we need not look to God, we only need look at our heart. Read Romans 8:27-39. I’ll wait…

Let’s put these truths in “Hebrew” terms. God promised to bring them out of bondage and into Canaan by His grace and prosper them so that they could be a light to the Gentiles through the Messiah who was coming.. All things impacting them are merely tools in the mighty hands of God to bring His will to fruition. No Philistine or false god could separate them from God’s love.

only a wayward heart separates you from God’s joy

At the times we feel most isolated and hopeless, God is only a heartbeat away. Restoration and renewal are ours for the taking. At these times, we need only look into our own hearts and turn back to the God who has not turned His back on us.

Joy will return even if circumstances do not change

When Messiah came to redeem mankind, the Roman “peace” had engulfed Judea and Jerusalem. This “peace” meant that in exchange for protection, Rome would forcibly garrison troops among you, tax you heartlessly and crucify any of you who chose to resist. Additionally, so long as you paid homage to Caesar first, you could practice your silly little religion all you wanted. Where was joy?

Joy is in the Messiah of God

The joy from the LORD is produced by the LORD in us when our trusting hope is in Him alone. Circumstance is irrelevant. In the days of Jeremiah, the Jews had again become dependent upon the Egyptians and Assyrians for daily bread because they decided not to accept it from the hand of Almighty God. Now, they couldn’t even dance…

Discover … His Joy

Access … His Joy

Share … His Joy