The Devotional - 60

The Devotional

Comment:

There is not a day that goes by “these days!” that I do not think of the words found in Proverbs 24:30-34, the words ring loud and clear that nationally and individually “we the people” have lost our way. We have become as a lazy man, a sluggard or an aimless hoard of bandits. Others have become ignorant and tolerate a way of life that is corrupted, immoral and led by greed. No one seeks right or wrong, we are satisfied with thoughts that allow us the freedom to do whatever we want to do because it seems right. Learning the lesson of living life without the guidance of the Creator is impossible, in fact I believe that no one has the ability to live right in the land of the living apart from God. Someone has branded the “sluggard” as a person who is lazier than the laziest of beings (the pig). As a nation we are such now, that would fold our arms and hands instead of reaching out to help. Individually we are such a one as to fake sleep or slumber when a community is in need. This has not happened overnight or in the dark.

Challenge: Lamentations

Once as a nation we were of the Light, while not perfect in this, we did at one time resemble the salt and light of earth, today because of our spiritual obesity we have lost our way. Also, the candle dims in our soul and only a remnant or flicker of Light remains. Matthew 5:13-16; Mark 4:21-25 and Luke 11:33-36 speak of this light or lamp. The three gospels agree with each other that while we have from the LORD God the power to give Light that as a nation and/or as an individual we have chosen to hide the Light and denied the Power of God.

Lamentations 1:6 – the splendor of Jer-USA-lem has departed from the land, the princes are many who find it hard to rule and in weakness they have agreed with the enemy and formed agreements with them and retain their greed and power for another day.

Lamentations 1:7 – in the days of plenty Jer-USA-lem wandered and squandered all of its treasury that were hers of years gone by. Now as the writer reveals, Jer-USA-lem’s citizens are falling into the enemies plan being overcome and there is no one to help. Have you noticed the confidence and assurance of our enemies as the laugh at our self-destructing ways? They do not have to do anything, only to be patient and watch our decay within.

Lamentations 1:8-9 – Just as Jerusalem, we mock at our growing disregard for the sin of the nation. While agreeing that our national pastime is SIN (nothing less or nothing more) we are all nationally unclean. This nakedness is visible to the world around us, it is also an opportunity for false and radical religion to prevail and overtake our sluggish ways. Why? Complacency has secured a hold on our churches to be the salt and light of the nation and there is no one to comfort us.