Weeping for That Which Is Lost

“Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.” (La 3:48 AV)

 

Chapter three of Lamentations is the best-known chapter of the book.  It is probably one of those chapters often preached from.  The middle of the chapter is used in funerals and such.  The beginning of the chapter is Jeremiah’s recollection of how he felt when he was lowered into the miry pit.  He felt completely abandoned by the LORD.  Then the middle of the chapter Jeremiah recollects how, even in the hardest time of life, he did not cease to have faith and hope in God.  He remembers this because his life radically changed because of the sin of his nation.  The latter third of the chapter is Jeremiah’s prayer that disobedient Judah is chastened for their sins against God.  He also seeks vindication on those who had treated him so badly.  What is astounding about the verse above is Jeremiah’s reaction to what had happened to Judah.  He is weeping uncontrollably at the condition of his beloved Judah even though they had treated him in the worst possible way.  This is the heart of those who walk as Jesus walked.  Compassion on those who would just as soon torture you is a mark of deep spiritual maturity.

While serving in the ministry, those who wish you harm are common.  It is not out of the ordinary to have someone wish the worst for you for no other reason than you dare to state the truth.  Over the almost four decades of service, I cannot begin to tell you how many people wished my ill will.  What I can tell you is wishing it in return does the servant of God no good.  To lose one’s compassion for those who wish you harm is not good.  The stories are too numerous and out of compassion for those of whom we speak, illustrating a particular event would not be appropriate.  What I can share is when those who resist the man of God come to the end of themselves, it is usually not a good thing.  God deals with those who treat His people and servants badly.  They may not receive the fullness of their choices in this life, but they will.  How we react will tell volumes of our spiritual maturity.

However, in thinking of this passage, a more particular application came to mind.  As our nation goes further and further from God, there remains the possibility that saints will be persecuted for our faith.  It has already begun.  As I preached many years ago, the powers that be will define biblical morality as a political issue and we revoke the tax-exempt status of churches.  This is only the beginning.  Ultimately, they will target the freedom of association and assembly using discrimination as their sledgehammer.  This will follow by defining preaching as hate speech.  On and on it will go until they disband all biblically based ministries.  Prison will follow, for to preach the gospel will become criminal.  There is a three-pronged reason for which God judges a nation: the shedding of innocent blood, perverse immorality, and the persecution of His people.  Unless a miracle happens, the United States is headed for divine judgment.  How we react will tell a great deal about our spirituality.  Will we continue to have compassion and weep for our nation?  Or will we rejoice because God took vengeance?  My prayer is the former and not the latter.