October 29

Lamentations 1:1-2:22, Philemon 1:1-25, Psalm 101:1-8, Proverbs 26:20

Pray: As I look back at my life, there are so many people who influenced me in great ways. I often, though not as much as I should, thank God for them. Some are still in my life, others God simply allowed our paths to cross for a season and then we went our own ways. Paul says to Philemon, “I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon.” For whom do you need to pray for and thank God today?

Read: Who’s to blame? We always look to blame someone when things go wrong. Oddly enough, it’s usually not us. Lamentations 1:12, when speaking about the destruction of Jerusalem, says, “see if there is any suffering like mine, which the Lord brought on me…” Interesting that the blame is being placed on God. It was the people’s sin, rebellion, and disobedience that brought about their demise and destruction. Maybe when you and I are looking for someone to blame, we ought to be looking into a mirror rather than at our spouses, our situations, society, etc. 

Edify: Sin can be fun in the moment. That’s an honest, albeit uncomfortable, statement. Perhaps that’s why so many people give in to temptation. In the moment, we choose the fun/pleasure/etc that sin gives us, and we don’t much think about the lasting effects or consequences. “[Jerusalem] defiled herself with immorality and gave no thought to her future.” Giving in to momentary pleasure resulted in absolute destruction for Jerusalem. It will do the same to you and me. When tempted, think about the long-term consequences if you give in. It’s not a sin to be tempted, but it is a sin, with destruction in tow, when we give in.

Practice: “I love to have my sins and mistakes pointed out” said no one ever! We don’t like it when others show us where we’ve “missed the mark” and even sinned against the Lord. Truthfully, though, it’s needed in a big way. I can’t see all my sins, because sometimes I don’t want to see them and other times I’ve lived with them for so long I simply don’t see them for the destructive forces they truly are. Lamentations 2:14 tells us, “Your prophets…did not save you from exile by pointing out your sins.” Perhaps if Israel’s “prophets” had exposed their sins, Israel’s story would have been different. You may not like having your sins exposed, but is there someone trying to help that you need to listen to instead of allowing anger to build up?