The Book Of Lamentations – Part 18 – The Kindness And Compassions Of God Never Fail. Wait - And Seek The Lord As Your Portion - Chapter 3:22-26 Series

THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS – PART 18 – THE KINDNESS AND COMPASSIONS OF GOD NEVER FAIL. WAIT AND SEEK THE LORD AS YOUR PORTION - CHAPTER 3:22-26

In the last message we saw a complete change of thought. Up until that point there was much misery and complaint and so many horrible things that had happened. Then Jeremiah suddenly burst forth with a new theme that seemed as if it did not fit the context. You might recall it began with this verse from last time - {{Lamentations 3:22 “THE LORD’S LOVING KINDNESSES INDEED NEVER CEASE for HIS COMPASSIONS NEVER FAIL.”}}

That verse speaking of compassion did not seem to fit into the situation of dying and suffering survivors of the Babylonian slaughter where people were rresorting to cannibalism and their skin turning black and withered like wood. How can a compassionate God bring that on the people? How can a compassionate God let it continue to ravage the people? We tried to open that up last time.

Now we look further into all this as the verses follow on.

PART [21]. AS THE SUNRISE, SO GOD’S KINDNESS AND COMPASSION

{{Lamentations 3:23 “They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.”}}

Verses 22 and 23 should never be separated but I did that only for commentary as the text was getting long. They are a beautiful unity. How can you explain this verse to a Christian who has just lost a child in an unforeseen accident, or coping with a terminal illness, or the family who lost their house in a fire, or a struggling family whose husband just lost his job? How can you make it clear that God is compassionate and that His kindness and compassionate are fresh for you every morning?

Christian character is forged in the furnace of suffering, and there is a combination of FAITH and RESTING in the will of God that brings understanding and an appreciation of the compassion and faithfulness of God. David learned so much about his God through suffering and in isolation fleeing from his enemies. The strong-hearted man in trial has his faith locked into the faithfulness of his God.

Faithfulness is a quality much lacking today by those claiming to be Christians. I think many decades ago, certainly a century ago, commitment was real as was dedication and service and the depth of the bible operating among the people. The modern church is part of the modern world with its glitziness and showmanship. Froth and bubble is the order of the day from many. There is an element of superficiality and worldiness.

God’s faithfulness to His children is permanent and continual while we are on this earth. How beautiful is it when the faithfulness of God kisses our weak faithfulness to Him. The term, “God is faithful” is used three times in the NASB and I list them without comment - {{1 Corinthians 1:9 “GOD IS FAITHFUL, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man, and GOD IS FAITHFUL who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.” 2 Corinthians 1:18 “but as GOD IS FAITHFUL, our word to you is not yes and no,”}}

It is of great concern to me that the modern church lacks faithfulness and commitment. It is so shallow in the western world. We need to take our examples from the suffering Christians in the Middle East and Africa who daily make sacrifices for the Lord, even to losing their lives to the hatred of Satan. Our faithfulness and commitment need to be fashioned after that of the Lord Jesus who persevered to the end, enduring the cross for each of us.

{{Lamentations 3:22-23 “The LORD’S loving kindnesses indeed never cease for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.”}}

PART [22]. MY “PORTION” OF THE LORD LEADS TO HOPE

{{Lamentations 3:24 “The LORD is my PORTION,” says my soul, “therefore I have hope in Him.”}}

“The LORD is my portion,” Jeremiah could claim, but is He yours? The sense of “portion” is what is dished out to you, or what you have claimed. As in a large buffet meal, some people take little to eat and others take a lot, then in the Christian life, some have little and some have much. All others range between.

What portion of the Lord are you claiming? It seems a rather crude way to put it, but we mean, “How much does the Lord influence and control your life?” Is He your everything, or is He your “something?” The time for non-commitment and play around has ended. The coming of the Lord is so close, so don’t be a fairweather church-goer. Wake up and surrender your lives to Him in proper commitment else you will be ashamed at His coming.