September 10, 2012 (Lamentations 3-5; Revelation 15)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “You have seen the wrong they have done to me, Lord. Be my judge, and prove me right.” Lamentations 3:59 NLT
Observation: Jeremiah was abused and treated with contempt because of the message he proclaimed. He did not speak a sweet grace covers all sin message, but rather a message that revealed sin and called for an immediate response of repentance. He was a light shinning on a hill. His prophecy was not favorable for the people, but it was the truth. What he spoke came to pass. Jeremiah was a living example of God’s mercy and grace in action. God tried to use Jeremiah to warn the people and give them the opportunity to turn from their wickedness and repent. Yet the people rejected the messenger God sent and the message he proclaimed. God’s anger was kindled and Jerusalem’s demise was inevitable. These events are recorded for our learning and instruction, yet we treat them with the same contempt and abuse.
Application: God has graciously given us the same opportunities to repent that He gave to our forefathers. He has provided messengers with a message of truth, giving us space to repent, in an effort to spare us the agony of His wrath. Yet we treat those with the true message contemptuously and abuse them for proclaiming what God has ordered them to speak. We cast them aside and replace them with men that will speak the words and message we desire. But the Lord is a lawyer to those He has redeemed and a judge to those that have been done wrong. He sees the vengeful plots of wickedness and will repay those that are guilty in due season. His anger is being kindled and His wrath will come forth with power and great might. Not a king in all the earth; no one in all the world would have believed that an enemy could march through the gates of Jerusalem. Yet it happened because of the sins of her prophets, the sins of her priest and the sins of her people.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day, bless it and keep it for Your glory. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for the justice You provide. Give me wisdom to know what’s right and the courage to do what’s right at all times. You are my lawyer! Plead my case! You have seen the wrong they have done to me, Lord. Be my judge and prove me right. Rise up with Your strong right arm and fight for me and win, in Jesus name, Amen!