Lamentations 3:1-3 " I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of HIS wrath. HE hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light. Surely against me is HE turned; HE turneth HIS hand against me all the day."
In this third chapter Jeremiah expresses, in a series of metaphors, the judgment that both he and the people of Judah were experiencing. It was with "the rod of HIS wrath" that GOD afflicted them (v.1). This had to have been an agonizing thought that GOD was now "against" him (v.3) and that HE had led Jeremiah "into darkness, but not into light" (v.2), a place of stumbling, instability, and insecurity -- far different from the way the LORD had previously treated the nation (Exodus 13:21). The days of blessing were gone. Now, the time for divine justice had clearly arrived. GOD's chosen people had likely assumed that with the temple being in Jerusalem, this was a "warranty" against judgment touching the city. Indeed, the LORD's hand of blessing had been upon this city for centuries; however, as one writer expressed it, the hand of mercy now closed into a fist of fury, smashing Jerusalem in divine wrath.
Though we are saved, now living "in CHRIST," we have absolutely no guarantee that we will be exempt from persecution or terrible trials. No one can legitimately argue that faithful Jeremiah was "deserving" of such untold affliction. Furthermore, we should not expect to escape the effects of GOD's wrath that others may have caused. We are members of a fallen human race. While our eternal destiny is secure and we can be sure our salvation from sin's penalty is settled, the LORD does not promise that we will avoid trouble or conflict in this life -- in fact, the opposite is true (1st.Peter 1:7 pictured above). We may feel at times that we are all alone in this world and that GOD seems far away. However, Scripture teaches HE is always with us (Hebrews 13:5 pictured above) -- what a comfort ! GDF
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
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