Familiar Lamentations

Surrounding nations envied Jerusalem and longed, waited for, and rejoiced in her destruction. The weeping prophet knew Zion deserved her plight; God had forewarned His chosen people about disobedience from the days of their ancestors. Yet, they repeatedly and blatantly sinned against the Lord God. They now lived in the consequences of their decisions and God’s anger.

We could insert America and the USA for Jerusalem and Zion in the five chapters of Jeremiah’s lamentations. Our country is the envy of surrounding nations; our enemies are longing and waiting for our ruin. But our destruction will come from our perversities and blatant sin against the Lord God, not our enemies. Our course will not change until we admit—lament—like Jeremiah saying, “Woe unto us that we have sinned” (5: 16). We cry out to God. He will hear our prayers, forgive our sins, and heal our land IF we humbly pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways (2 Chronicles 7:14).  

Jeremiah hoped in God’s truth, truths we can cling to and claim today: “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” (Lamentations 3:21–23). God is faithful, forgiving, and cleanses when we ask for forgiveness (1 John 1:9). But sin’s consequences remain. Sadly, it isn’t only us but our descendants, our precious children, who often bear the brunt of our rebellious choices.