Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for today is taken from the Book of Lamentations, Chapter 3 verse 26, “It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord,’ (NRSVB). The prophet Jeremiah spent forty years ministering to the rulers, temple officials and people. He warned of future calamity and war, of foreign rulers that will come and invade the land of Israel and of Judah, and of captivity and exile. The more earnest his pleadings became, the more the listeners considered that his words were just doom prophecies. People kept on living their lives, thinking that Jeremiah’s words would never materialize; things would stay the way that they have been. Alas, the changes came swiftly, like it was for the people in the times of Noah, and the catastrophe that followed caused the collapse of both the Kingdom of Judah and Israel. Jeremiah’s words, given to him through God’s revelation, were fulfilled. He chose to stay with the remnant of the people and was finally taken with them when they fled to Egypt. The Book of Lamentations, a collection of sad and mournful songs and poems, is credited to the prophet Jeremiah by most Old Testament scholars. Jeremiah speaks about the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. He sees her as “a solitary and lonely city,” and compares her to a widow who has lost everything, her husband, children, dwelling, hope and joy. Jeremiah beholds how “All her people groan and sigh, seeking for bread,” and her enemies are “clapping their hands” in gladness over her demise. Jeremiah addresses the ruins of the Wall, as a symbol of Jerusalem, and calls for “tears to run down like a river, day and night, give yourself no rest, let your eyes not stop shedding tears,” (Lamentations 2 verse 18). Despite the destruction of Jerusalem, Jeremiah encourages the remnant, those who are left, to believe and call on the Lord, for God promised that he would restore the City of Zion, Jerusalem. The only correct thing to do is to quietly wait, with tears streaming down their cheeks, and to continue to hope and expect God’s salvation.
When things fall apart, it seems as if the downward spiral becomes more and more acute. People witness the structures and institutions that everyone trusted in, and considered being immovable and immutable, crumble. Where can one find help in times like these, when the world is turned completely up-side down? Different advice and plans are broadcasted; however, people become more weary and confused. Who will give us the best advice? To whom can we run? Who has our welfare in mind? Calming our minds and settling our nervous reactions is the strategy that Jeremiah proposes. Instead of running in circles, trying to make sense of conflicting advice, become quiet before the Lord. Do not feel ashamed as your tears run down your cheeks, tears are healing balm, cleansing from the inside out, expressing thoughts and feelings that words cannot express. God will not forget his promises, nor will he forget his people. He promises: “I will not forsake you!” God reigns, his face is turned to benefit his people, as he turns around their fortune and restores them back to him. Through Jesus, our hearts and minds have been turned back to our Father. We are reconciled to God and accepted in his kingdom where our places are prepared. Let us not be down-hearted, despite the outwards appearance of our current situation. Let us wait on the Lord with confidence for he will restore us. The Apostle Paul in the Second Book to the Thessalonians, Chapter 3 verse 5 writes, “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ,” (NRSVB). The promises of God stand true, as Christ is the foundation of our faith and hope and he will not disappoint those who trust in Him.
Father God, thank you that you come to us there where we quietly wait on you, Amen.