Lamentations 3

WEEK  17                                       Lamentations 3

SATURDAY  Reflections

In the tears of Lamentations, there is hope. "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not" (verse 21-22 KJV). Judah and Israel deserved what happened to them, but even in the middle of it, God has promised mercy and compassion. There was much destruction, but it was not complete. The Jews were not wiped out as other people groups were.

 

The destruction of Jerusalem was horrible, but through the experience of the captivity, God formed a people who would serve only one God. God worked even this destruction to good. How much more can we hope even in the middle of pain when we remember God's promises to us (Romans 8:28)?  

Lam 3:1-66
(1)  I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.
(2)  He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light.
(3)  Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day.
(4)  My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones.
(5)  He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.
(6)  He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old.
(7)  He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy.
(8)  Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.
(9)  He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked.
(10)  He was unto me as a bear lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places.
(11)  He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate.
(12)  He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.
(13)  He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins.
(14)  I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day.
(15)  He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.
(16)  He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.
(17)  And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity.
(18)  And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD:
(19)  Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
(20)  My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
(21)  This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
(22)  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
(23)  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
(24)  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
(25)  The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
(26)  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
(27)  It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.
(28)  He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.
(29)  He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.
(30)  He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.
(31)  For the Lord will not cast off for ever:
(32)  But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.
(33)  For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
(34)  To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,
(35)  To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High,
(36)  To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not.
(37)  Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?
(38)  Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?
(39)  Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
(40)  Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.
(41)  Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.
(42)  We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned.
(43)  Thou hast covered with anger, and persecuted us: thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied.
(44)  Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through.
(45)  Thou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people.
(46)  All our enemies have opened their mouths against us.
(47)  Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction.
(48)  Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
(49)  Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission,
(50)  Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven.
(51)  Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.
(52)  Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause.
(53)  They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.
(54)  Waters flowed over mine head; then I said, I am cut off.
(55)  I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon.
(56)  Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.
(57)  Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.
(58)  O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.
(59)  O LORD, thou hast seen my wrong: judge thou my cause.
(60)  Thou hast seen all their vengeance and all their imaginations against me.
(61)  Thou hast heard their reproach, O LORD, and all their imaginations against me;
(62)  The lips of those that rose up against me, and their device against me all the day.
(63)  Behold their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their musick.
(64)  Render unto them a recompence, O LORD, according to the work of their hands.
(65)  Give them sorrow of heart, thy curse unto them.
(66)  Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the LORD.

Amos 4

WEEK  17                                                 Amos 4

FRIDAY  Reflections

Not all women were victims in Israel. This prophecy begins by calling wicked women the cows of Bashan. This is meant to be derogatory. As the wickedness is going on around them these women want nothing more than to have their desires met, specifically the desire for drink. They also participate in the oppression of others. In this patriarchal society, God isn't letting the women off the hook. They may not be doing the harm the men are but most aren't resisting it, in fact, they are contributing to it.

 

I don't think God is going to accept the excuse, "I wasn't in charge, it's not my fault." 

Amo 4:1-13
(1)  Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.
(2)  The Lord GOD hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.
(3)  And ye shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her; and ye shall cast them into the palace, saith the LORD.
(4)  Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years:
(5)  And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
(6)  And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
(7)  And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.
(8)  So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
(9)  I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
(10)  I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
(11)  I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
(12)  Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.
(13)  For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.

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Matthew 17

WEEK  17                                            Matthew 17

THURSDAY  Reflections

Matthew 17 begins with what has been referred to as the Transfiguration of Christ. At this moment Jesus is seen in all his true glory with Moses and Elijah. Yet a small side detail captures my attention. Peter knew that Jesus was talking to Moses and Elijah. 

 

How is that possible? There were no photos, no statues, no real description of him in Jewish history at all. Yet, Peter knows who they are.

 

It could be that he heard them talking a while and after they referred to one another he spoke but that doesn't sound like the Peter we read about. Peter was the jump first ask questions later. Get onto the water and then wonder, "how is this possible."

 

This is Saint Charles’ thought: Peter was getting a look into the spiritual realm into the place where Paul says we will know even as we are known. It was a supernatural transfer of knowledge, which he immediately used for the wrong purpose (how human).

 

People wonder will we know one another in eternity. This incident I believe shows we will.

 

If this is too far out for you then go down to verse 24-27, where Jesus said basically "We aren't going to offer offense even if we could and be right." Consider what this means for you.  

Mat 17:1-27
(1)  And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
(2)  And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
(3)  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
(4)  Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
(5)  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
(6)  And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
(7)  And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
(8)  And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
(9)  And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
(10)  And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
(11)  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
(12)  But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
(13)  Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
(14)  And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
(15)  Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
(16)  And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
(17)  Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
(18)  And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
(19)  Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
(20)  And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
(21)  Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
(22)  And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
(23)  And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
(24)  And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
(25)  He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
(26)  Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
(27)  Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

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Psalm 87

WEEK 17                                              Psalms 87

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

Are you proud of the place of your birth? I can't say I absolutely am. Yes, I am glad to be from the United States. In spite of the flaws (which all places have), the USA is one of the safest and freest places to live. However, I have met several who are proud of their birthplace. I'm from Hershey, the city where chocolate was created. I'm from Chicago, home of ________(there are several things people pick). I'm from Mvezo, the birthplace of Nelson Mandela. I'm from Brooklyn, what can I say, it's Brooklyn.

 

This psalm sings the pride of one born in Zion/Jerusalem. Though all of creation is God's, there is a special emphasis on Jerusalem. Even in eternity, there will be a New Jerusalem. Considering this, there might be real pride in being born there. I might add that in one sense, all Christians are born in Jerusalem. It is, after all, the place where our birthright was purchased. So perhaps, Christians around the world will be able to walk the streets of the New Jerusalem one day with the joy that it is the city of their birth. 

Psa 87:1-7
(1)  A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah. His foundation is in the holy mountains.
(2)  The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
(3)  Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
(4)  I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
(5)  And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.
(6)  The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.
(7)  As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.

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Amos 3

WEEK  17                                                Amos 3

TUESDAY  Reflections

In Amos 3:2, God is saying because Israel has been so blessed by God, they will now be judged by God. Some may think this is unfair but once you consider the patience of God it is more than fair. The moral in Spiderman is with great power comes great responsibility. Here is the perfect example, Israel had been blessed by God, they saw God’s mighty power and immeasurable blessings, but the majority chose to reject the responsibility which came with the blessings.

 

We might understand someone who steals because they are hungry. When someone has all they need and steal to show they can there isn’t usually a reason to show mercy. We are pleased when an infant craws across the floor but irritated when our fifteen-year-old does. Why? Because they can do so much more.

 

In Luke 12, Jesus said to whom much is given much shall be required and if we won’t use what we have we will lose it.

 

Just as we expect more in a math test for a high schooler than a first-grader, God expects more for those He blesses. God wouldn’t be just if he allowed those who waste God’s blessings to not be held to a higher standard.

 

To those who might think it would be better not to be blessed by God, 1 Peter 4:17-18 gives this warning: “For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"

Amo 3:1-15
(1)  Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,
(2)  You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
(3)  Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
(4)  Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?
(5)  Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?
(6)  Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?
(7)  Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
(8)  The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
(9)  Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof.
(10)  For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.
(11)  Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; An adversary there shall be even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled.
(12)  Thus saith the LORD; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch.
(13)  Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord GOD, the God of hosts,
(14)  That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.

(15)  And I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, saith the LORD.