Letters of Lament – Reading #1
(Disclaimer: If you are looking for a typical sermon series this is not it. Worship can take on many forms. This series is a reading through the Book of Lamentations.)
INTRODUCTION: There are times when we all lament – or need to lament. Times when we have walked down the wrong path – and have found at the end of it – a dead end. At the end of the road we cry out, “What have I done? How could I have been so stupid? How could I have NOT listened to my Father and followed His advice?” As you reach the dead end – you look back and reflect of what you have done to get you to that lifeless spot. You cry out in your desperation – you cry out in your foolishness – you cry out in your sorrow. The book of Lamentations is a book of crying out. As it applies to the Nation of Israel – it applies to the Church – and it applies to you and me. When we have reached the dead end – we cry out too.
1 How lonely sits the city That was full of people! She has become like a widow Who was once great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces (now she) Has become a forced laborer! Lamentations 1:1 (NASV)
O Lord I am so lonely – although I stand in a crowd. People press me on every side – yet I am still alone. I have made myself a widow – though You my Husband are not dead. I was once great – the bride of the Bridegroom – yet now my bridal garment is tattered and torn. I have traveled the wrong road – I have fallen in the mud – I am filthy – I am lost. I am no longer a bride – but a servant – a slave – a slave to my own sin.
2 She weeps bitterly in the night And her tears are on her cheeks; She has none to comfort her Among all her lovers. All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; They have become her enemies. Lamentations 1:2 (NASV)
I weep – I cry – there seems to be no end to my mourning. My tears run down my face – they have formed canyons in my cheeks. There is no one here to give me comfort. I cannot turn to you my husband – because of what I have done. How would You accept me? How would You listen to me? All of my friends have become my enemies – they have turned their backs on me – and whisper among themselves. I have nowhere to turn – I am so alone.
3 Judah has gone into exile under affliction And under harsh servitude; She dwells among the nations, But she has found no rest; All her pursuers have overtaken her In the midst of distress. Lamentations 1:3 (NASV)
I have run – I have run into hiding. I have left my homeland – perhaps never to see it again. The land of milk and honey are only a memory. I have no place to call my own – no place to lay my head. Even when I try to sleep – there is no rest. I have become a slave – a slave to my own sin. My burden is heavy and my yolk is harsh. Those who would take my life do not leave me alone. I have to keep looking over my shoulder – always wondering who is there.
4 The roads of Zion are in mourning Because no one comes to the appointed feasts. All her gates are desolate; Her priests are groaning, Her virgins are afflicted, And she herself is bitter. Lamentations 1:4 (NASV)
There is no joy in the depths of my heart – the place where my Savior whould dwell – Zion is empty. I can find no celebration – I can find not rejoicing. Sundays have become like every other day – Easter and Christmas mean nothing special to me anymore. I am no longer pure – my hands have become filthy. There is no pleasure in me – I am bitter against everyone and everything.
5 Her adversaries have become her masters, Her enemies prosper; For the LORD has caused her grief Because of the multitude of her transgressions; Her little ones have gone away As captives before the adversary. Lamentations 1:5 (NASV)
Those who hate me – rule over me. I have become a slave to my own sins. The evil in my life flourishes. I would need a garbage truck to hold all my sins – and I am not sure that it would be big enough. My sins multiply like rabbits. My children Joy and Gladness have been taken away. They have been put in chains. They are captives. They are slaves – never to be free again. Never to have the Son shine on their faces.
6 All her majesty Has departed from the daughter of Zion; Her princes have become like deer That have found no pasture; And they have fled without strength Before the pursuer. Lamentations 1:6 (NASV)
My face has become pale. There is no sparkle in my eyes – no spring in my steps. Though I am young in age – my heart is heavy and aged. There is no nourishment for me. I see no green pastures and no still waters – to refresh and restore my soul. Everywhere I turn – there is a desert. No matter how fast I run – my sins follow close on my heels. I can feel them breathing down my neck. My energy is drained.
7 In the days of her affliction and homelessness Jerusalem remembers all her precious things That were from the days of old, When her people fell into the hand of the adversary And no one helped her. The adversaries saw her, They mocked at her ruin. Lamentations 1:7 (NASV)
Oh I wish I could forget some things – I wish I could forget my sins – then perhaps I would not be in such pain. How I use to sit and hold my Lover. How we would enjoy each other’s company. How we would sir and talk for hours – how we would laugh together. But now I am homeless – now my heart is broken. The good old day – WERE good. There was laughter and there was joy. If only I would forget those days - if only those days were remembered no more – then I would not be so miserable. There is no one to help me – there is no one to turn to - those who planed evil for me – are grinning from ear to ear. They are elated at my ruin.
8 Jerusalem sinned greatly, Therefore she has become an unclean thing. All who honored her despise her Because they have seen her nakedness; Even she herself groans and turns away. Lamentations 1:8 (NASV)
I have sinned against my lover – and sinned greatly. Everywhere I turn – I cannot run from it – I cannot hide. I have become as a filthy rag – unclean all over. I alone am to blame – I alone take responsibility. He knows all this. He who has loved me from the beginning can see all my blemishes. I stand naked in His sight. I am transparent – I am totally exposed. I morn in my sinfulness – I am so ashamed – I can’t look at His face - I can’t look Him in the eyes.
9 Her uncleanness was in her skirts; She did not consider her future. Therefore she has fallen astonishingly; She has no comforter. "See, O LORD, my affliction, For the enemy has magnified himself!" Lamentations 1:9 (NASV)
My uncleanness is in me – it clings to my skin – it penetrates the marrow of my bones. I can hide my sin from others. I can put on a smile – I can proclaim that everything is OK – but You and I both know the truth. I did not think about the consequences – I did not care where the road would lead – I did not consider tomorrow. I wanted to live for the moment – but the moment is gone – and all that remains are the bitter memories – nightmares. Is there no one to comfort me? Is there no one to forgive me? O Lord look at my sorrow – look at my pain. The enemy has put me under his magnifying glass – he reveals to me my every flaw.
10 The adversary has stretched out his hand Over all her precious things, For she has seen the nations enter her sanctuary, The ones whom You commanded That they should not enter into Your congregation. Lamentations 1:10 (NASV)
My enemy has grabbed me by the throat – and is squeezing tight. He touches me in a cruel way. He is not gentle like my lover was – but is rough and harsh with me. My mind drifts back to the memories of the old days – how I would laugh – as my friends – false lovers would come and visit me. You took no pleasure in my friends – yet I did – but it was only for a moment. I lived in the here and now – yet You had bigger plans for me. You had plans of me dwelling in your house – forever and ever. O, how I have gone down the wrong road - and now I find that it led to destruction. How could I have been so silly - how could I have been so stupid.
11 All her people groan seeking bread; They have given their precious things for food To restore their lives themselves. "See, O LORD, and look, For I am despised." Lamentations 1:11 (NASV)
Lord I have wasted what You have given me – I have treated it as if it has no value. Your precious jewels I have treated like rocks – and now I stand hungry and naked in my sin. I thought I knew what was best for me – I did not listen to You. I thought You were being too restrictive – too protective of me – and so I struck out on my own. I went down the road – followed my own instincts – my own desires – only to find that I have reached a dead end. I am lost. I am hungry. I am lonely. I am desperate. I am despised. O Lord hear my cry.
PRAYER: Father restore to us the joy of Your salvation. You know where we have gone. You know what we have done wrong. Bring us back into Your house – shower us with mercy and forgiveness – Father forgive us. Amen.
