Lamentations 3:37 - 5:22

In chapter 3 we see that the things the prophets speak are not from them:... "but from God, for what man can speak and make things come true? Is it not from the mouth of the most high that both calamities and good things come?" Then He asks "why any living man should complain when punished for his sins? Then He petitions God's people to "examine themselves and return to the Lord." This whole process is so important for each one to go through, 1 -to acknowledge that the prophecies and scriptures are from God and not man. 2. We must all come to an understanding that He has the power to bring both good and bad things to pass (He is God). 3. Then being satisfied (contentment) with what He decrees and where He has us today is being in
his will at the time. He will change things when the work He is doing in your life and my life is complete. 4. Examining ourselves every few months and returning to the Lord so He can complete us (making us spiritually into His image) and assign us the tasks He wants us to to handle. He says 55 "I called your name O Lord from the depths of the pit. 56 You heard my plea: Do not close your ears to my cry for relief. 57 You came near when I called you, and you said, "Do not fear."
58 O Lord, you took up my case; you redeemed my life." (NIV)

In chapter 4 we see the pain and suffering of God's people during the exile. It reminds me of what the tribulation may look like. Part of their sin was thinking that Jerusalem was their fortress and security and that it could never happen to them. That was said when the Titanic was built and to the government official that tried to warn about our vulnerability to have the 911 catastrophe. We sometimes have to see it to believe it. So it was with the suffering and destruction that was prophesied in Jerusalem. That is why it is so important that we read God's word and understand the scriptures to be able to interpret the times in which we live, and things in our own life. This keeps us from worry when we understand God really is in control - no matter what.

In chapter 5 the prophet asks the Lord to remember what has happened to them. He then paints a picture of their current circumstances and asks God for restoration. He also asked why He had forsaken them for so long. When God is silent, it is so confusing, but so necessary. He knows it is so vital that we all get to the point that we acknowledge our need for Him to be Lord of our life. He is silent to show us our need for Him and teach us what a life without Him is like. It's called God's discipline. As we complete the process He changes our heart. That is something we are not capable of. He knows we need it, and it is a vital part of the process to get me and you out of the way so that He can be God. 5:21 "Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may return; renew our days as of old." (NIV)