04-12-2020 - Lamentations - When We Focus on the Wrong Future (1:8-22)

Lamentations 1:9 ESV

9 Her uncleanness was in her skirts; she took no thought of her future; therefore her fall is terrible; she has no comforter. “O Lord, behold my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed!”

Lamentations 1:8 NLT

8 Jerusalem has sinned greatly, so she has been tossed away like a filthy rag. All who once honored her now despise her, for they have seen her stripped naked and humiliated. All she can do is groan and hide her face.

What Happens When We focus on the WRONG FUTURE?

Quick Fall from Grace (v. 9)

Lack of Comfort (v. 9)

Enemies in Triumph (vv. 9-10)

Treasure Traded for Necessities (v. 11)

Sorrow, Suffering and a Summons to Judgment (vv. 12-15)

1 Thessalonians 5:3 ESV

3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Lamentations 1:16–17 NLT

16 “For all these things I weep; tears flow down my cheeks. No one is here to comfort me; any who might encourage me are far away. My children have no future, for the enemy has conquered us.” 17 Jerusalem reaches out for help, but no one comforts her. Regarding his people Israel, the Lord has said, “Let their neighbors be their enemies! Let them be thrown away like a filthy rag!”

Lamentations 1:15–16 ESV

15 “The Lord rejected all my mighty men in my midst; he summoned an assembly against me to crush my young men; the Lord has trodden as in a winepress the virgin daughter of Judah. 16 “For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears; for a comforter is far from me, one to revive my spirit; my children are desolate, for the enemy has prevailed.”

Lamentations

What Happens When We can FIND NO COMFORT?

“I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.” - C.S. Lewis

We Must ADMIT the LORD is IN THE RIGHT! (v. 18)

We Must STOP SEEKING SPIRITUALLY Bankrupt Advice! (v. 19)

We Must ACCEPT the AGONY Inflicted for our REBELLION (vv. 20-21)