Lamenting-Regretting what we have done.
Jerusalem, once so full of people, is now deserted. She who was once great among the nations now sits alone like a widow. Once the queen of all the earth, she is now a slave. She sobs through the night; tears stream down her cheeks. Among all her lovers, there is no one left to comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her and become her enemies.
- Lamentations 1: 1 (NLT)
Many Americans are very troubled this day. Thinking back about the happenings of the last week, hearts are sorrowed by the hate and animosity displayed by citizens turning vicious and vindictive over issues that likely could have been solved by transparency and truth, but it hasn't been the way. And I am sure that God looks down upon us sadly, for all of us, black white, and other;, men and women of varying viewpoints and beliefs, and even godly or non-believing, finding themselves embroiled in a situation which is likely to become even worse before it gets better. So, how did we get this way?
Well, my friends, we did so in a manner not unlike that written about by the Prophet Jeremiah who, over five hundred years before Christ, witnessed the results of the destruction and pillage of Jerusalem, the City of God. The Israelites, born of God and expected to turn to God, lost their way and the result was the turning loose of the power of the evil Satan, who worked his way among them which resulted in wickedness and strife and the destruction of their society. And they were left to mourn, so well discussed by Jeremiah in the passage shown from the Book of Lamentations of the Old Testament, a short passage which is included above. You see, they faltered severely and thought of themselves as no longer needing God. Things were good and bountiful and they thought they could partake of all of the things they wanted no matter whether they should or not. After all, God had given Satan to earth to rule, but he expected his people to be strong and withstand the temptations offered by the deceiver, but they as mortals that they were, failed. And only when they reached the low point as seen in Lamentations could they finally realize the error of their ways and repent. And yet even then they would repeat later many times including putting the Savior, Jesus Christ to death, for no crime at all.
I think this situation that took place so long ago can be readily used as an example of just what we have witnessed over the last number of years which culminated in where we found ourselves last Wednesday. I believe we can readily apply it to what happens when a people lose their faith and trust in the Lord, instead placing it in mortal man over material things, money and power which are so prevalent in the world today. And further, if we don't wake up and realize that truth, honor and faith in God. are the only things that can help us avoid heading for the critical abyss which will come if our republic, the United States of America and her people don't find their way, such disasters as the sacking of Jerusalem will happen right here in the USA. We bring the good of all of us together and be done with what is untrue and if we turn to God to find out how to do so, He will show us the way. If not, then our society which has been a model for the world for generations will end in the dust pile of history. Each of us must determine in our own way the answer to these problems for they are individual decisions requiring thought, reflection and yes, prayer, and then we must come together with all of those ideas and come up with a plan of action. Will each of us do that? Will we come to our logical sense and do the right thing. I guess that is something we will soon find out. I only hope that we will reach a conclusion that also includes God, for without Him we will fail miserably and America as we know and love it will crumble and disappear from the face of the earth. And now let us pray.
Dear Lord, We praise you for all the blessing you have given us for you are our rock and salvation. Help us to open our hearts and minds and come together to solve the issues that separate us. And we thank you for hearing our concern. Amen.
- Lamentations 1: 1 (NLT)
Many Americans are very troubled this day. Thinking back about the happenings of the last week, hearts are sorrowed by the hate and animosity displayed by citizens turning vicious and vindictive over issues that likely could have been solved by transparency and truth, but it hasn't been the way. And I am sure that God looks down upon us sadly, for all of us, black white, and other;, men and women of varying viewpoints and beliefs, and even godly or non-believing, finding themselves embroiled in a situation which is likely to become even worse before it gets better. So, how did we get this way?
Well, my friends, we did so in a manner not unlike that written about by the Prophet Jeremiah who, over five hundred years before Christ, witnessed the results of the destruction and pillage of Jerusalem, the City of God. The Israelites, born of God and expected to turn to God, lost their way and the result was the turning loose of the power of the evil Satan, who worked his way among them which resulted in wickedness and strife and the destruction of their society. And they were left to mourn, so well discussed by Jeremiah in the passage shown from the Book of Lamentations of the Old Testament, a short passage which is included above. You see, they faltered severely and thought of themselves as no longer needing God. Things were good and bountiful and they thought they could partake of all of the things they wanted no matter whether they should or not. After all, God had given Satan to earth to rule, but he expected his people to be strong and withstand the temptations offered by the deceiver, but they as mortals that they were, failed. And only when they reached the low point as seen in Lamentations could they finally realize the error of their ways and repent. And yet even then they would repeat later many times including putting the Savior, Jesus Christ to death, for no crime at all.
I think this situation that took place so long ago can be readily used as an example of just what we have witnessed over the last number of years which culminated in where we found ourselves last Wednesday. I believe we can readily apply it to what happens when a people lose their faith and trust in the Lord, instead placing it in mortal man over material things, money and power which are so prevalent in the world today. And further, if we don't wake up and realize that truth, honor and faith in God. are the only things that can help us avoid heading for the critical abyss which will come if our republic, the United States of America and her people don't find their way, such disasters as the sacking of Jerusalem will happen right here in the USA. We bring the good of all of us together and be done with what is untrue and if we turn to God to find out how to do so, He will show us the way. If not, then our society which has been a model for the world for generations will end in the dust pile of history. Each of us must determine in our own way the answer to these problems for they are individual decisions requiring thought, reflection and yes, prayer, and then we must come together with all of those ideas and come up with a plan of action. Will each of us do that? Will we come to our logical sense and do the right thing. I guess that is something we will soon find out. I only hope that we will reach a conclusion that also includes God, for without Him we will fail miserably and America as we know and love it will crumble and disappear from the face of the earth. And now let us pray.
Dear Lord, We praise you for all the blessing you have given us for you are our rock and salvation. Help us to open our hearts and minds and come together to solve the issues that separate us. And we thank you for hearing our concern. Amen.
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