The weeping prophet, Jeremiah, laments over the idolatrous sin of Judah which brought God’s just judgment. The book of Lamentations is deeply heartbreaking as it describes the destruction and desperate condition of God’s people. Yet, in the midst of these laments, Jeremiah refocuses on God with hope-inspiring words: “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him” (Lam. 3:22-25).
Every new day brings hope as one is reminded of the mercies and great faithfulness of God. Therefore, like Jeremiah, we must claim the Lord as our portion and seek Him.
Yet, sometimes turning to the Lord seems out of reach. We just may not feel sincere though we know down deep that God is the answer. When this is the case, we must cry out as Jeremiah did at the end of his laments, “Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old” (Lam. 5:21).
We can ask God to turn us toward Him. He will. “Turn us unto You, O Lord, and we will be turned.” In fact, this very cry is turning to the Lord.
Turning to the Lord is dependence on the Lord. It is the repentant cry to a merciful Father for restoration and renewal. If ever we needed revival, is it not now? Personally and nationally.
I’m writing this article on 8 November 2022, the date of the midterm elections. The tension is felt. When this article is published, voting will be over. Regardless of whether the outcome is encouraging or not, we need a season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. While I’m truly grateful for righteous laws and leaders, a change in hearts must come from the Lord. May those who love the Lord ultimately put their confidence in the Lord. Revival comes from Life Himself.
John Van Gelderen
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I’M NOT VERY SURE IF THE AVERAGE CHRISTIAN IS SERIOUS ABOUT REVIVAL/SOUL WINNING,CHRISTIANITY,SPIRTUALITY,ETC.IS IT JUST ME??JOHN.WHAT IS ENCOURAGING IS THE LORD WILL HAVE HIS SERVANTS,PROPHETS,WITNESSES,ETC.QUOTE FROM DR.BOB JONES III.TRUE OR FALSE??REVIVAL,NOT RAPTURE IS WHAT NEEDS TO BE @ THE FORE FRONT.PRAY THAT I WILL BE A MORE EFFECTIVE SOUL WINNER.
May we all be more soul conscious!
Just got finished reading the book of Lamentations, thank you for your thoughts, my hope is in the Lord this day after election day.
Thank you for the encouragement & hope, that even when we struggle to feel sincere – That very cry in Lamentations is a turning of us to Him – And we “shall” be turned.
Truly, this turning to the Lord is our need!