I Have Seen My Affliction!

Jeremiah wrote Lamentations about a nation who had turned their backs on God’s Word and were living in sin, while surrounded by false prophets telling them all was well.

But Jeremiah had also seen his own affliction brought about by his sin.

Jeremiah said this in Lamentations 3:1: I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of His wrath.

Instead of telling the truth about what had led these people into captivity—their own sinfulness. These false prophets prophesied lies to the people.

Lamentations 2:14

Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.

Read all of Lamentations when you get the time. It speaks of the sin of a nation, but also speaks to the sin of each person. It speaks of those who had gone into captivity because of their sin.

Jeremiah was placed in a dungeon for speaking the truth. Like many who speak the truth today are ostracized—even as false prophets prophesy lies, that tickle ears.

Jeremiah also speaks of the mercy of the LORD, for those who acknowledge their sin and turn to Him in repentance.

Lamentations 3:19-33,40-42,55,57

Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope. He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach. For the LORD will not cast off for ever: But though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. [40] Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens. We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned. [55] I called upon Thy Name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon. [57] Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon Thee: Thou saidst, Fear not.

Beloved, does this sound to you like what’s happening today? It does to me. The answer is acknowledgement of our sin, repentance, and humbly crying out to the LORD for His mercy—“Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.”

Where are the weeping prophets—men like Jeremiah?

Father, raise up those who will speak the truth no matter the cost. Those who will walk humbly before You acknowledging their own sin, snd calling for repentance and turning to You with our whole heart, in Jesus Name.

#EyesOnHim