AUGUST 28

In chapter 3 we see the heart-cry of a chastened people.

In chapter 4 we see the horrors of the siege, and the fall
of the city of Jerusalem. Her disaster is described in verses 1-20.
The gold and the stone of the Temple had been desecrated.

Chapter 5 records the lament over Judah’s misery under
Babylon’s heel, and the petition for restoration and divine mercy.
Throughout the Book of Lamentations, Jeremiah had been dwelling on
his sorrows and the sorrows of the people, but now we see him
lifting up his eyes to the Lord. God is always faithful in His
mercy, when we as Christians turn away from our sins and turn our
eyes to Him. His compassion fails not. Even though we have failed
Him, and will fail Him in the future, He cannot fail us. As the
songwriter says, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” The prerequisite for
God’s mercy toward us is that we confess our sins. First John 1:9
says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” He is also
faithful to deliver us when we cry out for help in temptations (I
Corinthians 10:13); He is faithful to keep us in this life and unto
eternal life (I Timothy 1:15; I Thessalonians 5:23,24). We
desperately need to commit our souls and lives into the hands of our
faithful Creator. Then, and only then, will we have a successful
Christian life. God was merciful to the remnant of His people, as He
is merciful to us today; but the lesson we should learn from the
Book of Lamentations is that God is faithful to His Word.
Backsliding and sin by God’s people will be chastised. “Be sure your
sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).