THE LONELY CITY
Today’s Reading: Lamentations 1-2
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
There are many covered stone streets in the Old City of Jerusalem. In this picture, one orthodox Jew walks up an incline. Imagine Jeremiah, who was left behind in Jerusalem, after most of the people were taken captive to Babylon.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Lamentations 2:11
My eyes fail with tears,
My heart is troubled;
My bile is poured on the ground
Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people,
Because the children and the infants
Faint in the streets of the city.
According to the dictionary, a “lament” is a poem expressing passionate grief or sorrow. “Lamentations” is such a poem. Each chapter in this book contains 22 stanzas, but chapter three has 66 (22×3). Each stanza begins with the succeeding letter of the Hebrew 22-letter alphabet. Jeremiah’s prophecies came true, and he had every right to say, “I told you so!” He not only knew the Word of God, he knew the heart of God! Here in chapters 1 & 2, Jeremiah cannot stop weeping. Can we hear the weeping in the voice of Jesus when He said of Jerusalem the words found in Matthew 23:34-37. Jesus ministered in person in Jerusalem, as did Jeremiah. Shortly before the next great destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus is recorded saying the words of Matthew 24:6-14.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray for the same heart of compassion and grief as was evident in Jeremiah and in Jesus. Grant me, I ask, the strength to bear a burden of intercession for my country and its great cities, towns, villages and country areas. Increase my capacity to care for people who are all very precious and of infinite value to You. I pray in the Name of the One who cared more than anyone else for people, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
The photo below shows the street lights of Burlington and the lights on the Burlington Skyway Bridge over the entrance to the Hamilton Harbour. The light is reflected off the snow and ice. The harbour is frozen over and the ships are docked at the wharfs for the winter. In the distance are the lights of the city of Hamilton. Fire is visible coming from the huge chimneys at the steel plants, Stelco and Dofasco. For a time I served as a pastor of a Hamilton congregation. Often early in the morning I would walk to the brow of the escarpment which overlooks Hamilton from the opposite direction from where this picture is taken. There I would pray over the needs of these cities, sometimes weeping as I cried out to God for His mercy and salvation to come to many more people. I am committed to prayer and to experiencing a greater manifestation of the caring heart of Jesus than ever before.
Yours for a heartfelt concern for people everywhere!
David
Just love the cobblestone staircase in the old city of Jerusalem. Amen to today’s scriptures, message, prayer and photos. I am from Hamilton, and know exactly where David walked along the escarpment and wept in prayer. Through the depths of our love for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and compassion for one another, we are vehicles of God’s love, on earth, as in heaven. To Him, be all the praise and glory that is due. Wishing all saints a blessed day in the Lord.
I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you.
For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God in the light of life. Amen. Ps 56:12-13 NIV
Grace Will Lead Me Home- David Dunn (lyric video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7A_mlOC1c4
Thnx for keeping up keeping up Beverlee… enjoyed the song you posted.
God Bless blog friends…
Amen, Beverlee! and, yes “Grace will lead me home”!
Am overwhelmed by David’s message again today inspired by the writings of Jeremiah. Thank you Beverlee for your information, scripture and song today. The tribute to Rev. Billy Graham last night was wonderful!
To David Mainse I’m sure God has said numerous times, “well done good and faithful servant.”
I saw several tributes
to Billy Graham.
Funeral is Mar 2/18.
Visitation Feb 26-27.
Buried at the Billy Graham Library.
Lamentations truly brings out the heartache of God through Jeremiah for the people of God!
Agreeing with David in prayer: open my heart to be more compassionate for this nation of Canada and Your people Lord, I pray!
Thanks to all who prayed for my son Peter and his wife Darlene. All transactions have been completed; the Attorney is finalizing all transactions and they should have the keys to their new home by the end of February!
Praise God, for His intervention and miracles, for Peter and Darlene to purchase their home:)
Yes, the tribute to Billy Graham was wonderful! Thank you!
Amen Irene!!!
All PRAISE AND GLORY AND THANKS TO OUR LORD GOD FOR PROVIDING A NEW HOME FOR PETER AND DARLENE!
PRAISE THE LORD! PRAISE THE LORD! Thank you Lord!
May they both live long healthy lives in their home and may they always be blessed with Divine Interventions and miracles! ALL PRAISE AND THANKS BE TO GOD! AMEN AMEN AMEN
thank you, Sah…and, again thanks to all who prayed!! Amen!!
Praise God, Irene!
Finally had the chance to watch the Billy Graham tribute–in honour of such an incredible servant of God. The song at the end was especially endearing. Thank you 100 Huntley Street for broadcasting that special.
Amen, Beverlee!
I am so thankful to be able to have heard Billy Graham on the radio and then on TV!
I was always impressed that he was never fearful to share the Love of Jesus Christ with any and all people! His voice had a very different tone! His voice sounded true and precise! I remember many times I was so torn up over my horrible sinful nature but when I heard Billy Graham’s sermons I repented of my sins and I truly did feel that God did forgive me completely, I also felt that the sins I confessed before God were truly forgiven and that tomorrow was a new day! I just knew that was the truth!
My dad was the opposite! He ALWAYS had to bring the past up and start the rant all over again! In many ways little did I realize that listening to the sermons of Billy Graham were very helpful for me and that even now the past is long gone and today and each new day is exactly that: a new day, our sins are forgiven as far as the south is from the north or east is from the west! THAT TO ME IS GOSPEL AT ITS BEST! amen amen amen
Praise the Lord, Irene.