Jememiah- Lamentations

Well, today is Friday and it's dark outside.  In another hour the sun will start rising.  I'm in Jeremiah still and finishing it up today.  Here are but a few thoughts: 1) BABYLON IS THROUGH- In Jer. 51:13, God says to mighty Babylon: "O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness."  God rises up a nation and lowers it.  Perhaps that is what God is doing to America and the nations of the earth right now financially.  We must look to the Lord and know that all will be well as we trust Him.  In the captivity of Israel, remember that they went into captivity with Babylon, and then Babylon was overtaken by the Medes and Persians.  So they were servitude to two world powers during the seventy years of captivity.  Daniel was a chief counselor in both of their rule. 2) BROKEN AND ABANDONED- In Jer. 52, we see that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and that only the poorest of the people were left in the impoverished land.  Then all of the houses were burned, and all worth taken was taken from the city and the temple.  When God humbles a land, He does a good job of it.  Let us not be found out needing to be humbled by God.  Rather, let us chose ourselves to walk humbly before God knowing that He is in control at all times. 3) LAMENTATIONS- This book is called "the Lamentations of Jeremiah".  To lament means to weep.  Thus, it is the "weeping of Jeremiah".  It is a book where Jeremiah tells about his tears for his city.  It is also a poetic type of book.  The first two chapters have 22 verses in them each.  The middle chapter has 66 verses, and the last two chapters have again 22 verses each.  Five chapters that God puts symmetry to.  4) TURN BACK TO GOD- This is the message of Lamentations as Jeremiah weeps for them.  In Lam. 3:40, it says: "Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD."  What a good message for our nation, and for us today as well.  Let us search our ways, and then decide to turn to the LORD!!  Well, just a few thoughts for today.  I hope you have a great day today and that God leads and guides you along the way.  Have a blessed day!!   Dr. Mike Mutchler, Pastor of Grand View Baptist Church.