Lamentations

I didn't do too bad. I was hoping to get to Lamentations before the end of January - it's only February 5. The title "Lamentations" gives away the book - it's the writer is lamenting, or mourning, the collapse of Israel. It's onle five chapters, so I think I'll just note the texts I highlighted as I read.

2:14 - "Your prophets deceived you with false visions and lying messages-- they should have warned you to leave your sins and be saved from disaster." Jeremiah also told Israel that were believing lies, that he wished he could have been bringing good news, but there was no good news. They were disobedient, and this was the consequence.

2:17 - "The LORD has done everything that he had planned and threatened long ago." They shouldn't be surprised.

2:18 - "Don't ever lose hope or let your tears stop."

3:17 - "I cannot find peace or remember happiness."

3:21-40: "Then I remember something that fills me with hope. The LORD's kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. zthe LORD can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. Deep in my heart I say, 'The LORD is all I need; I can depend on him!' The LORD is kind to everyone who trusts and obeys him. It is good to wait patiently for the LORD to save us. When we are young, it is good to struggle hard and to sit silently alone, if this is what the LORD intends. Being rubbed in the dirt can teach us a lesson; we can also learn from insults and hard knocks. The Lord won't always reject us! He causes a lot of suffering, but he also has pity because of his great love. The Lord doesn't enjoy sending grief or pain. Don't trample prisoners under your feet or cheat anyone out of what is rightfully theirs. God Most High sees everything, and he knows when you refuse to give someone a fair trial. No one can do anything without the Lord's approval. Good and bad each happen at the command
of God Most High. We're still alive! We shouldn't complain when we are being punished for our sins. Instead, we should think about the way we are living, and turn back to the LORD. "

4:22 - "The people of Zion have paid for their sins, and the Lord will soon let them return home."

5:19-22 "You will rule forever, LORD! You are King for all time. Why have you forgotten us
for so long? Bring us back to you! Give us a fresh start. Or do you despise us so much that you don't want us?"

In the midst of despair, there is hope. But, even with hope and a knowledge of God's faithfulness, it is sometimes a challenge to imagine a positive outcome in the midst of the despiar.