Monday Reflection – February 24, 2020

Monday Reflection – February 24, 2020

The Turnaround

Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord. Lamentations 3:40

Lamentations 3 presents the weeping prophet Jeremiah expressing a strong sense of affliction, yet conflicted in his mind and spirit. Jeremiah begins by expressing the depth of his sorrow and distress caused by the corrective rod and wrath of God. The prophet is clearly indicating that the darkness he now faces is punishment from God who has turned his hand against him. Jeremiah uses words such as besieged, hedged in, chained, shut out, and blocked to demonstrate the dark place that he has found himself, Yet, when one reads this text a little deeper, Jeremiah is not just a witness, but a representative of what his people is going through. The sufferings of Judah are described as though one man is experiencing them.  

Though Jeremiah depicts God as an adversary, by the time we get to verse 19 there is a change of tone. He faces affliction and remembers it, not pretending as if it was not there. Thus, by the time we get to verse 21 there is the unexpected expression of hope. There is hope in God’s mercies, compassion and faithfulness. Memories of God seem to have come flooding down on Jeremiah that spring hope and joy in the spirit of the Prophet. Like the people of Judah, though we experience affliction and feel beat down and defeated, we are not completely consumed because of God’s mercies. Though we face severe corrective measures, there is enough evidence of God’s compassion. Though we feel abandoned and forsaken, God remains faithful.

Jeremiah affirms the goodness of God even in his justice. The sufferings that he and his people face will not be forever, and it is tempered with mercy. What a stark reminder that we are never able to bear the full punishment and wrath of God. God’s disciplinary actions are always tempered with mercy. This fact should give us sufficient substance to inspire hope, even in the midst of affliction. Jeremiah then reminds all that God cannot be opposed and he rules over all things…yet another reason to hope. We may complain against God, but that profits us nothing. It is better that we accept our just correction and be grateful for everything.     

By the time we get to today’s Watchword, Jeremiah challenges the people to humbly turn back to God. We must test and examine our ways. Our sins ought not to be casually and superficially confessed and dealt with. Instead we should carefully reflect on our ways i.e. our thoughts, words and actions. Having done so, we should turn back to God. All the self-examination in the world will do us little good if it does not lead us back to God. We must turn away from sin and self and focus on God. For those who have drifted and lost focus of God, return to God!

I close with the very text for today- let’s test and examine our ways and return to God.Jermaine Gibson