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Lamentations 3:1-3 Great is your faithfulness in time of relentless affliction - Day 238

Good morning fellow soldiers,

While Lamentations is grouped with the prophetic books, it seems to have a lot of wisdom characteristics. It answers the "why do bad things happen to good people" question.  As I sit in a comfortable chair in a comfortable apartment in Madison, Wi Jeremiah's experience is beyond my understanding.  I have to wonder if being "in Christ" is a nice theological concept of a experiential reality.

Blessings,

Jeff

Jeremiah pouring out his heart about his experience as God's prophet.  This is the location of "great is your faithfulness" in v21-27.  But this confidence is surrounded by the lament of a man who is not at all happy with God.  The first 20 verses are like these first 3.  He sees God's relentless affliction of the man who has been a faithful prophet.

It is a solemn reminder that Jeremiah saw God's faithfulness most clearly in the midst of great anguish.  The "health and wealth" message closes its eyes to Lamentations.  What would Jeremiah say to "Your better life now"?  

When I say God is sovereign, I mean that He does all things for His glory and my good.  But I don't get to define what "my good" is.  I don't think that Jeremiah saw relentless affliction as good when he was experiencing it.  I don't think he saw his condition as bringing glory to God.  But he did not give up. 

I believe that he "knew what he knew"  When God called him this is what He said: But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. 18 And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the LORD, to deliver you.” Jeremiah 1:17-19

Beloved, now is the time to "know what we know" and remember what we must not forget.  If we are to experience a relentless affliction, we must be grounded in the truth.


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