04-19-2020 Conversations with the Weeping Prophet
2020 Conversations • Sermon • Submitted
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· 13 viewsJoin Pastor Matt and the Christ Followers at Charity as we Have a Conversation with the Weeping Prophet
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In Lamentations Chapter 3, we have The Despair of the Prophet spelled out in great agony from vv. 1-20.
In verse 18 we even see the Despair of the Prophet almost turn into Dark Hopelessness “so I say, My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the LORD.”
Thankfully, in verse 21, after he faces his Bitterness and the Bowed-Down state of his soul, He suddenly turns the Gloom and Despair into a Glimmering Dawn of Hope!
21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
In the Midst of Despair - Jeremiah, the Weeping Prophet REMEMBERS
In the Midst of Despair - Jeremiah, the Weeping Prophet REMEMBERS
All through the Bible we see Hope and Joy in spite of The Current Circumstance of Suffering:
Paul Declares in Romans 5:3
3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
Peter Declares in 1 Peter 4:12-13
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
Job Spoke Words we often use in times of Grief and Loss to this very day in Job 1:21
21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
The Prophet Habbakuk wrote in Habbakuk 3:17-18
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
On Your DARKEST DAY and in your TIME OF TRIAL, do your best to REMEMBER
And, what does the Weeping Prophet Recall?
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
God’s GREAT LOVE and His COMPASSION are CEASELESS
God’s GREAT LOVE and His COMPASSION are CEASELESS
The three words here:
Steadfast Love (Hebrew: Khesed) - is a covenant love or loyal love - it revolves around loyalty and faithfulness - originating from God’s covenant
Mercies/Compassions (Hebrew: rahamim) - related to the womb, the idea of tender caring love of a mother
Faithfulness (Hebrew: emunah) - honest, steadfast, trustworthy - one of the most beloved and memorable verses in Lamentations, these words are the underpinning of the great hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness” the word is also connected to “amin” or “so be it”
Speak of the Qualities of the Unchanging God, whose Everlasting Covenant with Israel is demonstrated in Love, Mercy and Trustworthiness which stands in stark contrast to Man’s Hatred, Contempt and Faith Failures.
Jeremiah has seen the sin of his people. Jeremiah has come face to face with the Depth of Depression over the wickedness of the nation, BUT
Do YOU REMEMBER GOD’s GREAT LOVE, GOD’s CEASELESS COMPASSION, and GOD’s ENDURING FAITHFULNESS? Or has something else been on your mind?
Now that the Weeping Prophet has Recalled the Great Love, Compassion and Faithfulness of the LORD What is his RESPONSE?
Jeremiah chooses to HOPE, WAIT and SEEK
Jeremiah chooses to HOPE, WAIT and SEEK
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
25 The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
26 It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
His Hope is Built on God’s Provision (portion = share/possession) - Psalm 119:57 reminds us “Lord you are mine, I promise to obey Your Words!”
++His Choice to Wait reflects that God IS Good (even in the midst of calamity and judgment) to those who CHOOSE to WAIT - Isaiah 40:31 tells us “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
++His RECALL now causes him to SEEK OUT God instead of solely complaining against Him… “Where is God in all of this...” is a legitimate question in the face of calamity and judgment… Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that, “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him...”
Do You Choose to HOPE because you trust He has and will provide? Do you Have the Patience to WAIT for Gods deliverance? Are you willing to diligently SEEK GOD?