A GOOD GOD, A JUST GOD

Lamentations 3 (selected)

31 For men are not cast off

by the Lord forever.
32 Though He brings grief, He will show compassion,

so great is His unfailing love.
33 For He does not willingly bring affliction

or grief to the children of men.

37 Who can speak and have it happen

if the Lord has not decreed it?
38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High

that both calamities and good things come?
39 Why should any living man complain

when punished for his sins?
40 Let us examine our ways and test them,

and let us return to the LORD.
41 Let us lift up our hearts and our hands

to God in heaven, and say:
42 "We have sinned and rebelled...

47 We have suffered terror and pitfalls,

ruin and destruction."
48 Streams of tears flow from my eyes

because my people are destroyed.
49 My eyes will flow unceasingly,

without relief,
50 until the LORD looks down

from heaven and sees [EL ROI]. [emphasis added]

May we lament as Jeremiah did over our own sin - and the sin of our nation in turning away from a Holy God. He desires good for us - He desires a relationship with His people - He loves beyond measure.

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]