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
Inspired by David’s message, scripture, the cobblestones in today’s photo of Old Jerusalem, the history of the Jews and Jesus’ love for them and Israel. Takes me deep into prayer and with love for all the saints. His blessings be upon you.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3 NIV
Vinesong – Let Your Living Water Flow/Thank You Lord
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzxWhUv8dyg
Thank u 4 the beautiful video/hymn Beverlee and posting. God bless.ypur day.
Deuteronomy 28:1-14 was for the Israelites but we Christians are Jews grafted into the True Vine.
Lamentations has traditionally been ascribed to Jeremiah, probably on the grounds of the reference in 2 Chronicles 35:25 to the prophet composing a lament on the death of King Josiah, but there is no reference to Josiah in the book and no reason to connect it to Jeremiah.
Praying for ‘Jews’ worldwide:-)!
Will the circle be unbroken: https://youtu.be/T6UDEkqCPE4
Thanks for that lovely song Beverlee and that old classic,Lynda. Who else could have written Lamentations?That answer is unimportant but it’s contents are of great value.The scholars who study and translate these words know far more than we do.Think how he must have felt walking in a ghost town now destroyed and the rotting corpses…..It was the end of their world for a time….until Cyrus conquered Babylon.He has much to lament over.Pray for Jersalem,as we should.Praying for Ann too.God bless
“How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss –
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.
Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life –
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart –
His wounds have paid my ransom.”
https://www.stuarttownend.co.uk/song/how-deep-the-fathers-love-for-us/
Thank You, Lord God, for caring for us. I know William Wilberforce dedicated his life to reform in Britain, as David Mainse did in Canada, and as many are doing, each in their own small corner. Thank You for these, Your workers, Lord. We ask for reform in Canada, Father. Turn people back to You, Lord, and raise up Godly leaders throughout this country, we ask in Jesus’s great and holy name, amen
Thank you Rob for your post and the beautiful hymn, it is one it my favourites. Agreeing with you prayer.
Yes thank you for your post, Rob.
I am in agreement with your prayer. Amen.
I prayed David’s prater; and the prayer of all who participated in this blog; and was ministered to with the songs posted.
The Lord weeps with and for us. He wept over Jerusalem. Praise His Holy Name!
Thaknyou for your Salvation Lord Amen. Bless all who read these blogs