1 Peter review

We will look at some things we learned from Peter.  First, we learn that past failure does not keep a person from being a very effective witness for Jesus Christ.   Peter had denied Jesus at His arrest, but after Jesus' resurrection, Peter accepted Him as his Savior and Lord, and he called on everyone to do the same.   Peter said this should bring us peace in life, no matter what is going on in the world around us.  Peter tells us that our salvation is incorruptible, kept by the power of God.  Nothing can steal our salvation once we are born again by faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.   Peter also tells us that the trial of our faith is much more precious than silver or gold.  If we are following Jesus for material riches, then we are following Him for the wrong reason.  Peter also tells us that salvation through Christ was always the only way to salvation.  The prophets of old pointed to Him, and the people since His coming have pointed back to Christ.  God gave people free will, even knowing what it would cost Him to redeem them.  Peter calls on us to get ready to work for God, and not to be ruled by our former lusts of the flesh.  As Christians, we are to live by a different standard than the standard that the world lives by, and that standard is faith in Jesus Christ.  We are to be born again spiritually, and this should lead us to a real love for our fellow believers, but even more than that, for the lost people of the world as well.  We cannot effectively witness for Christ if we hate the people that we are witnessing to.   Peter also tells us that we are to lay aside malice, guile and hypocrisies and to live on the spiritual milk of the word of God.  The more we grow in Christ, the less we should see of these attitudes in our life.  Peter said that though the world rejected Him as such that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of salvation upon whom we must build our life.  We are not to follow the values of the world but the values of God through faith in an obedience to Jesus Christ.  Peter tells us that as Christians we are a royal priesthood.  This does not mean that we were to act superior to other people, because he then tells us that we are to be subjected to the laws of the world, as long as they do not conflict with the laws of God.  Peter tells us that this world is not our home but that we are simply passing through, but that does not make us free from the law of the land.  We are to live in our freedom through Christ in such a way as to bring shame to the lost people of the world.   

1 Peter 5:8

1 Peter 5:8 says, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  Peter gave them and gives us a very specific warning that we are to be sober and vigilant, because the Devil is our adversary. Peter tells us that the Devil is a roaring lion seeking those that he can devour.  We never really have to fear the Devil as long as we are following the leadership of the Holy Spirit, but if we begin to feel that we no longer are open to his temptations, then we need to really be alert.  Verse nine adds, Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  Peter calls on us to remain steadfast in our faith and tells us also that we are not immune to trouble in the world.  I don't believe that once you become a Christian that all your troubles are going to disappear, nor do I believe that the Bible teaches this.  The troubles in life may increase.  As a matter of fact, in Peter's day, and in many countries today, this was and is a fact.  Verse ten continues, But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  The reason we do not have to fear the Devil is because of the God of all grace.  The grace of God is always sufficient to overcome any evil or temptation for now and for all time.  Even if we lose our life because of our faith in God, we are still secure in His loving grace. Verse eleven states, To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  We are to acknowledge that honor and dominion belong to God forever.   No matter how bad things may get here in the world, we are to honor God and acknowledge that He alone is God.  Verse twelve adds, By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.  Peter said that he had written this letter by Silvanus, who he knew to be a faithful brother to the others that he was writing to.  We need to acknowledge the fact that there are many other faithful Christians in the world today and uplift them in our thoughts, and prayers and give them recognition when we can.  Verse thirteen continues, The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.  When we hear the name Babylon, we usually think of a bad place, but Peter said that there was a church there.  He also said that the Christians there were equal to all others.  Peter also called Marcus, or Mark, his beloved son.  Verse fourteen concludes, Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.   Peter told these Christians to greet one another with a holy kiss.  We used to handshake or give a hug more today than a kiss, or at least we did before the pandemic, but the real statement is that we should have a genuine affection for one another through our faith in Jesus Christ.  Peter also called for peace to be with all who were in Christ, and I believe that this was a call to spiritual peace no matter what is going on around us in the world.

1 Peter 5:1

1 Peter 5:1 says, The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:  Peter address the elders, or church leaders I believe, and declared himself to be an elder, and one who had witnessed the sufferings of Christ.  Peter also said that he would partake in the glory to be revealed.  We need to exhort, to uplift each other as followers of Christ, because even though we may not have seen the sufferings of Christ personally, we know of them, and because of them, we will participate in the glory when He calls us home.  Verse two adds, Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;  The elders were called on to feed the flock of God spiritually, with love and never for the riches of this world.  God places people over His people today to guide them spiritually, and He never does it to make them rich materially.  Peter also said that the elders were not to attempt to force anyone to follow them, but that they were to do so willingly.  Verse three continues, Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.  Peter said that the elders, or church leaders, were not to act as lords over other Christians, but were to be an example to the flock, or the other Christians.  If a pastor or preacher starts acting morally superior to his congregation, then something is wrong.  Verse four states, And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.  Peter tells us that our reward for following Christ will never be in this world, but will come with the return of Christ, the chief Shepherd.  Verse five adds, Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.  Peter calls on the younger to submit themselves to the elder, and I don't believe this Is always a physical age, but may refer to spiritual age.  Whichever Peter meant, he also tells them to be subject to one another in all humility.  Peter tells us that God resists the proud.  We are never to feel that we are morally superior to another Christian. Verse six continues, Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  We, as Christians, are to humble ourselves before God, even if we are a leader in the church.  Verse seven concludes, Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  Peter calls on us to cast all our cares upon God, because He cares for us.  We often drag around our cares and concerns instead of casting them on God.

1 Peter 4:11

1 Peter 4:11 says, If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  Peter tells us that everything we say and do should be said and done under the leadership of God.  We are to use the abilities that God gives us for His honor and glory though our obedience to Jesus Christ.  Verse twelve adds, Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  Peter does not say that fiery trials may try us, but that they will.  If we have not encountered any fiery trials in the world, it may be that we are too much like the world for anyone to recognize us as followers of Christ.  Verse thirteen continues, But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  Peter tells us that we are to rejoice in our suffering for Christ.  Still, not all suffering is for Christ, and we should never seek to suffer simply as a sign of our faithfulness.  We are also told that if do suffer because of our faith in Christ that we will also rejoice with exceeding joy when He returns victorious.  Verse fourteen declares, If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part, he is glorified.  Peter says if we are reproached for our faith that we should be happy, because the Spirit of the glory of God rests on us.  We too often moan and complain that the world is not fair to us as Christians, but God says when this happens, we are to rejoice.  Verse fifteen adds, But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.  Peter calls on us as followers of Christ to not be guilty of breaking the law or of causing trouble for someone else, and therefore suffer punishment.  Verse sixteen continues, Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.  Peter then returns to suffering for our Christian faith.  When this happens, we are to not be ashamed.  There is never a time when we should feel down if we suffer for Christ.  Verse seventeen declares, For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  Peter said the time had come for judgment to begin and it was to begin in the house of God.  The house of God was corrupted by those who were supposed to be His people, and Jesus Christ came to bring the people of God to Him once more in spirit and truth and not in name only.  Verse eighteen adds, And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?  Peter said if the righteous, or those who were called God's people, could barely be saved, what was to happen to the ungodly and the sinners, or those who were not called God's people.  The answer to salvation for both groups is faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse nineteen concludes, Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.  Peter calls on those who suffer for their faith to continue in their faith.   If we suffer for our obedience to God, then God keeps our souls safe in His hand.

1 Peter 4:1

1 Peter 4:1 says, Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;  Peter tells us that we are to use Jesus as our example when suffering.  Jesus suffered in flesh because He refused to compromise in the spirit.  Suffering in the flesh in itself does not cause someone to stop sinning, but being obedient to God even if that causes us to suffer in this life does.  Verse two adds, That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.  Peter tells us that as Christians that we should no longer live in the lusts of the flesh.  A desire for the things of this world should no longer rule us as followers of Christ.  Verse three continues, For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:  Peter told them that before they accepted Christ that they lived by the same desires that the Gentiles, the lost people of the world did, and so do we today.  We lived for the pleasure of earthly desires before we became Christians.  Verse four states, Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:  Peter tells us that the people of the world are going to find us strange when we do not chase after the same things they do, especially if we chased these same things with them before we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  As Christians, our behavior must be different than that of the rest of the world.  Verse five adds, Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.  Peter tells us that even as Christians we are held accountable for our actions.  We are not given a free pass to sin because our sins have all been forgiven.  Verse six says, For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.  The gospel being preached to those who were dead does not mean those who have died physically, but to those who were spiritually dead.  Verse seven adds, But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.  We hear a lot today that the return of Christ is imminent, but Peter felt the same way in His day.  He did not view it as a time for the lost to get their deserved punishment, but as a time for Christians to be even more dedicated to doing the will of God.  Verse eight continues, And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.  Peter calls on Christians to have a multitude of charity, or love, for the people around us.  This Christ like love is to be extended to all people, just as the love of Christ is, especially as the time of the second coming draws closer.  Verse nine states, Use hospitality one to another without grudging.  Peter tells us that we are to offer hospitality, or help, to others without grudging.  Verse ten adds, As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  Peter tells us since we have received the gift of salvation that we are to share the gospel with others so that they might receive it as well.  The gospel was never and never will be something that is reserved for a few people, but is to be shared with all, even those we do not like.

1 Peter 3:12

1 Peter 3:12 says, For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.  God listens to the prayers of the righteous, those who are followers of Christ.  Until a person accepts Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, the only prayer that God will hear is the prayer of repentance and the acceptance of Jesus Christ as one's personal Savior and Lord.   Verse thirteen adds, And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?   Peter asked a very simple question, but it is one with an everlasting perspective.   There may be those who would harm us if we follow after the good, the things of God, but we have no reason to fear them, no matter what happens in this life.   Verse fourteen continues, But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;  Peter states it very clearly.  We may suffer for righteousness's sake, but if we do we are to rejoice and not be afraid.  Verse fifteen states, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:  Peter tells us that even in times when we suffer for our righteousness that we are to sanctify God in our heart and be ready to give an answer for our reason for hope with meekness and fear.  I believe this means with a fear of or respect for God and not of those who a persecuting us.  Verse sixteen adds, Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.  Peter tells us that even if people speak evil of us as followers of Christ that they will one day be made ashamed for their false accusations.  As long as we speak the truth of God what we say will always be proven to be true.  Verse seventeen continues, For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.  Peter tells us that if it is the will of God that we suffer for well doing that is better than if we suffer for evil doing.  If we do not compromise our faith in order to avoid some punishment in the world, that is better than suffering the punishment of God because we did compromise our faith.  Verse eighteen says, For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:  Peter points to the example set by Jesus Christ, the just dying for the unjust, as the example for us to follow.   Once more, we are not promised material riches as followers of Christ, but we are told to take up our cross daily, to die to self-will and desire in other words, and to follow Christ.  Verse nineteen adds, By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;  Jesus did not just go to the rich and successful to proclaim His word, but He went to those in prison as well.  We may not be physically imprisoned, but until we accept the gospel of Christ personally, we are imprisoned by sin.  We will never be better than anyone else by our own personal righteousness but are made better by accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse twenty continues, Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.  Peter says that God is long-suffering in waiting for people to come to Him and cites Noah as an example.   With all those around Noah, only eight believed him and were saved.  All we can do is share the gospel, then it is up to the individual that we share it with whether they will believe and be saved or not.  Verse twenty-one declares, The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:  I believe that what Peter is telling us is that baptism into the will of God by faith in Jesus Christ saves us, and not the physical act of baptism itself.  It is the resurrection of Jesus Christ that is the way and the only way to salvation.   Verse twenty-two adds, Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.  Jesus Christ is now sitting at the right hand of the heavenly Father, and everything is in His power.  For that reason, as followers of Christ, we have no reason to fear anything that this old world may do to us.   As followers of Christ, the victory is already ours through His power, and nothing will ever be more powerful than He is.

1 Peter 3:1

1 Peter 3:1 says, Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;  Peter tells Christian wives to be subject to their husbands, even those who aren't Christians.  He then says that by doing so, if their husbands aren't Christians they might be won to believing in Christ.  Of course, the main objective is not who is in charge in this world, other than the fact that ultimately both the husband and the wife would be subject to Christ.   Verse two adds, While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.  Peter tells the wives that their chaste conversation coupled I believe with their fear of God would be noted by their husbands and other people.  Our conversation, whether husband, wife, or single should always reflect the Lordship of Jesus Christ in our life if we are a Christian.  Verse three continues, Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;  I believe that Peter was telling us that our focus should not be on our outward appearance.  I don't believe that he was saying that we should never wear things that make us look better to those around us, but that this should not be our emphasis.  Verse four states, But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.  Peter tells us that instead of focusing on the outward appearance that we should focus on our spiritual nature, which is not corruptible.  The things that we do because of our obedience to Christ are pleasing to God and will last forever.  Verse five adds, For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:  Peter cited the example of the holy women of old, those who were set aside from the world by their relationship with God, as being in subjection to their husbands.  Verse six continues, Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.  Peter referred specifically to Sarah and her relationship to Abraham.  Peter said all these women were daughters, or ancestors, of Sarah through faith.  Of course, spiritually they would be sisters of Sarah, since we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.   Verse seven proclaims, Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.  Peter then calls on the husbands to be the spiritual leader of the family, as long as husband and wife are united by a love for and an obedience to Christ.   The husband is to honor his wife, and if he does he will always want what is best for her under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Peter said that the husband and wife were joint heirs of Christ by the grace of God.  Peter also warns husbands and wives that if their relationship to one another is wrong that it will hinder their prayers.  Verse eight adds, Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:  Peter calls on Christians to be united with a mind on the things of God.  If our focus is on our self and our standing in the family or the world, then we need to change our focus to what God wants from us as followers of Christ.  Verse nine continues, Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.  Peter said that we are not to return evil for evil nor railing, or speaking badly about someone or something, for railing.  Our conversation should reflect the glory of God to those around us.   Verse ten says, For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:  Peter says that if we would love life and see good days that we should control our tongue, or what we say, and not speak evil things.  Verse eleven adds, Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.  Peter tells us to turn away from evil and do good, seeking peace in the world through our relationship with Christ.  In the marriage relationship and all relationships, we are to put the will of God first.

1 Peter 2:19

1 Peter 2:19 says, For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.  Peter tells us that it is noteworthy if a person suffers for his or her faith in God.  This doesn't say if we suffer for any reason, but if we suffer because of our faith.  If as Christians we break the law because we don't like it, that doesn't mean that we are being persecuted and should be viewed as thankworthy.  Our actions should always bring glory to God and not to our self.  Verse twenty adds, For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.  Peter tells very plainly that if we are punished for our faults that this does not make our patience in suffering acceptable to God.   Then he tells us that there is a difference in suffering because of our sin and suffering because of our faith.   If we patiently suffer because of our faith in God, then this is noteworthy and acceptable to God.  It is not that we patiently suffer, but the reason that we do so that makes us acceptable to God.  Verse twenty-one continues, For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:   Peter tells us that because Jesus Christ suffered for His faith that we are called to patiently suffer for ours.  Verse twenty-two states, Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  Peter tells us that there was no sin or guile found in Jesus, but still He patiently endured death on the cross for our sins.  This is what God calls every Christian to do, and that is to be obedient to the heavenly Father no matter the cost in this life.   Verse twenty-three adds, Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:  Peter said that Jesus was reviled and threatened, but that He did not have the same attitude toward those who were doing this to Him.  He still reached out to them in love, and so must we.  Verse twenty-four continues, Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.  Peter here professes the heart of the Gospel, and that is that Jesus suffered and died for our sins.  Jesus' death in total obedience to the heavenly Father defeated sin and its penalty for all who will put their faith in Him.  Verse twenty-five concludes, For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.  I know a lot of people call other people sheep as a form of insult, but Peter tells us that as Christians we are sheep who have gone astray, but that we have been returned to the fold of God by faith in Jesus Christ.  We are called to humbly follow Jesus Christ, no matter what. 

1 Peter 2:11

1 Peter 2:11 says, Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;  Peter's appeal to Christians as pilgrims and strangers was made because that is what they and all Christians are in this world.  This is not our home, so we will always be pilgrims and strangers here.  For that reason, we are to abstain from fleshly lusts, which are of this world but are at war with our soul, or the spiritual part of us.  Verse twelve adds, Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.  The Gentiles that Peter was speaking about would be those who had not accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  Peter called on the followers of Christ to be living examples of the word of God even when the Gentiles were speaking evil of them, so that God might be glorified.  Peter said they would see our good works made manifest in the day of visitation, or when Christ returns.  The people of the word may always be against Christians, but we are to live our lives guided by God's word and for His glory.  Verse thirteen continues, Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;   Peter tells us that we are to be subject to the law.  We are not told that we can pick and choose which laws to obey.  I believe the only exception to this would be if the law of man defies the law of God.  Verse fourteen states, Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.  Peter said that we are to be subject to the law of the highest ruler here on earth, but also unto those under them.  We are to do this for the glory of God.  So, if there is a law that in no way goes against God's law and we don't like, and we choose to disobey it, does this bring glory to God?  Verse fifteen adds, For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:  Peter tells us that the will of God is for Christians to obey the law, and by so doing that we will put foolish people, those who do not know God, to silence.  Veres sixteen continues, As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.  Peter tells us that even though we are free from the powers of the world in our everlasting salvation that we are not to use this freedom in a malicious way.  If we refuse to obey the law of the world, even though through our salvation in Christ, we may be freed from it, we are still to obey it for the glory of God.  Verse seventeen says, Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.  Peter calls on us to give honor to all men and to fellow Christians.  There are not two sets of rules for how we treat others, but we are to treat the lost and our fellow believers with respect.  Peter also tells us that we are to fear God, which does not mean to live in fear of Him but with an awesome respect for Him, and to honor the king, or earthly rulers.  Verse eighteen adds, Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.  Peter tells us that we are to be subject to those in power over us, not only those that are kind to us but even to those who may not be.  We are to live in a way that always brings glory to God. 

1 Peter 2:1

1 Peter 2:1 says, Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,  Laying these things aside implies a deliberate action.  We are not to engage in malice, guile, hypocrisy, envies, or any evil speaking.   We need to ask if what we say today is spoken with any of these attitudes.  Verse two adds, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:   Once we are born again, we are as spiritual babies, and we need to feed on spiritual milk.  We must learn to rely on the basics of God's word first, and then begin to dig deeper into it.  Verse three continues, If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.  Peter says if we have tasted that God is gracious, and as Christians we must have because His graciousness is what makes salvation possible.  Verse four states, To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,   Peter said Jesus was like a living stone, the foundation of salvation, Who was rejected by men, and especially by those who were God's chosen people.  Verse five adds, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.  Peter, who was called the Rock, tells us that as Christians, we are to be lively stones building up the spiritual house of God.  We are called to be a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through our faith in Jesus Christ.  We cannot just offer God what we want Him to have and think that He has to accept it.  God determines what is an acceptable sacrifice, and not us.  Verse six continues, Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.  The chief corner stone of salvation is. Jesus Christ, and God's scripture has always said this. In Peter's day, this corner stone came, and today we look back on the reality of His coming.  Verse seven says, Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,  Peter said some believed in Jesus Christ as the cornerstone and that He was precious to them.   Others rejected Him, but that did not change the fact that He is the cornerstone of salvation.  All that we build spiritually must be built by faith in the corner stone, Jesus Christ, crucified, resurrected and Lord.  Verse eight adds, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.  Peter continues to point out that to those who are disobedient to God that Jesus Christ is a stumbling block.  Verse nine continues, But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:  What separates Christians from everyone else is not some innate goodness on our part, but our faith in Jesus Christ.  Because of that, we should live in order to show God's marvelous light to a dark world.  Verse ten concludes, Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.  Peter said that before Christ came, not many people who were not Jews obtained salvation, but now all could.  They simply had to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior personally. 

1 Peter 1:13

1 Peter 1:13 says, Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  Peter tells us that we are to gird up our minds, which I believe means that we are to be careful about what thoughts or ideas we allow to enter our minds.  We are to hold fast to the grace of God that brings us salvation.   Verse fourteen adds, As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:  Peter calls on us to be obedient children of God and not to be ruled by the former lusts of our disobedience, and when we give in to the lusts of the flesh, we are no longer obedient children of God.  Verse fifteen continues, But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  Peter tells us that since God Who called us is holy, then we are to be holy in all of our conversation.   We need to ask before we speak if what we are saying brings honor to God, and not just some of the time, but all the time.  Verse sixteen states, Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.  Peter tells us that God's written word calls on us to be holy because He is holy.  Verse seventeen adds, And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:  Peter tells us that when we call on God that we need to remember that He judges everyone by their works, and this should bring fear into our lives, since by our works we will always be guilty of sin.  This is why Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation.  Verse eighteen continues, Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  Peter tells us that we are not redeemed by silver and gold, the corruptible things of the world, which some of the people had learned from the vain conversation of their fathers.  We need to make sure that what we believe is what God says, and not some tradition of man.  Verse nineteen proclaims, But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  Peter tells us that we are redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb without spot and blemish.   Jesus did what no one else ever has or ever will do.  He lived in complete obedience to the heavenly Father.  Verse twenty adds, Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,  Peter says that the coming of Jesus Christ was preordained before creation, yet God created mankind, knowing what it would cost Him to redeem those who would put their faith in Jesus Christ.  At the time Peter was writing, he said Jesus had just recently come.  Verse twenty-one continues, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Peter said that those who would be redeemed must put their faith in the fact that after His crucifixion, God raised Jesus from the dead.  This must be our belief if we are to be saved.   Verse twenty-two says, Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:  Peter says that if we obey the truth of God truth the leadership of the Holy Spirit that we will have unfeigned love for one another.   Verse twenty-three adds, Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.  Peter tells us that we are born again if we are Christians, and when we are, we become incorruptible.  Some people today say that they are a Christian, but not a born again one, and this is an impossibility.   Verse twenty-four continues, For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:   Peter tells us that without Christ as our Redeemer, we are like the grass, which soon withers away.  Verse twenty-five concludes, But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.  Peter proclaimed to those that he was writing to that the word of God endures forever, and that was the word by which the gospel was preached, and it always will be.  God's word will never change. 

 

1 Peter 1:1

1 Peter 1:1 says, Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,  Peter identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ.  We need to remember that this was after Peter had denied Jesus and was restored to Him after His arrest, death burial and resurrection.  We have likewise denied Jesus at one time, but the important fact is whether we then accept Him as our Savior and Lord.  Peter addressed his letter to many different churches, whereas Paul addressed his to a particular church usually.  Verse two adds, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.  Peter then listed the qualifications for being an apostle or a disciple of Christ.  God knew before creation that a way of salvation would be needed, and He knew the only acceptable way would come through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and for each individual to accept His sacrifice by faith.  Then, that person would be sanctified to God and have peace multiplied to him or her.  Verse three continues, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  Peter said that this was done for the glory of God, since it was by His abundant mercy and grace that salvation was and is made available.   Verse four states, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,  Peter told them and tells us that the inheritance that we have through Jesus Christ is incorruptible, undefiled and will never fade away.  This inheritance is not in this life but waits for using heaven.   Verse five adds, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  Peter also told followers of Christ in that day as well as those today that salvation is kept by the power of God.  Nothing can ever take away our salvation.   Verse six continues, Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  Peter also said that they were to greatly rejoice, even if they were in heaviness because of manifold temptations.   Temptations are nothing new for Christians, but we can rejoice because through faith in Jesus Christ we can overcome them all. Verse seven says, That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:  Peter also said that trials would come to our faith, which is worth so much more than silver and gold, even if that faith is tried but fire.  Peter added that the reward for faithfulness would come at the return of Jesus Christ, and He most certainly will return.  Verse eight adds, Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:  Though Peter had seen Jesus Christ in the flesh, those he was writing to had not, and yet they believed in Him.  This is true for every believer in Jesus Christ today.   Peter said they loved Jesus Christ with an unspeakable joy, and were full of His glory, and so should we also be today.  Verse nine continues, Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.  The end of faith in Jesus Christ then and now is the salvation of our soul.  Verse ten states, Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:  Peter said this salvation was nothing new but had been inquired about and searched for diligently by the prophets and they had prophesied about salvation which would come through the grace of God.  Salvation can never be earned, but always has been and always will be a free gift by the grace of God.  Verse eleven adds, Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.  Peter said that the Spirit of Christ was in the prophets even before He came in human form to be sacrificed for the sins of all people for all time.  Verse twelve continues, Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.  Peter said that this was not revealed to the prophets simply for their good, but for the good of those who came after them.  This Peter said was reported by those who preached the gospel through the leadership of the Holy Ghost.  We today have that same gospel to preach and the same Holy Spirit to enable us to do so. 

Review

 We will look at a few things we learn from the book of Lamentations.  First, God's judgment of the people of Judah and Jerusalem occurred just as Jeremiah had prophesied.  Jeremiah was very saddened by their condition.  God's judgment is coming on all the world, and we as Christians should be very saddened by the fact that so many people will not accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord, and God's everlasting punishment awaits them.  Second, the state of the people of Judah and Jerusalem was because of their sin and open rebellion against God, from the governmental leaders to the priests and prophets on down.  Just because the government or someone claiming to be speak for God says that something is okay or true doesn't make it so.  We must always look to God and His word for answers.  God will never change His commandments for us, no matter who may say so.  Last, though the people were suffering and Jeremiah was lamenting their condition they were not without hope. Today, even if we are saddened by the condition of the world, we need to acknowledge that we are not without hope.   God waited to welcome the people of Judah and Jerusalem back to Him, and He waits to welcome everyone who will come to Him through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ today.  We will next look at 1 Peter.

Lamentations 5:12

 Lamentations 5:12 says, Princes are hanged up by their hand: the faces of elders were not honoured.  Jeremiah said that the leaders were punished and there was no respect for the elders of Judah and Jerusalem, which was a result of their sin..  If there comes a time when we are punished and there is no respect for us as followers of Christ, we need to make sure that it isn't because we have allowed sin to rule our life.   Verse thirteen states, They took the young men to grind, and the children fell under the wood.  There was also no respect for the young people, and they were forced into manual labor.  This was more than simple chores.  Verse fourteen adds, The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their musick.  Jeremiah said that there was no joy left.  The elders no longer sat talking by the gates and the young men no longer played music.  When the people of Judah and Jerusalem turned away from God and chased after idols, they suffered His punishment and lost all the joy of life.  As followers of Christ, if we allow sin back in our life and begin to chase after the things or this world instead of obeying God, we won't lose our salvation, but we will lose our joy in life.  The things of this world without being used in obedience to God will never bring lasting joy.  Verse fifteen declares, The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning.  The priests and prophets had said that Jeremiah was wrong in prophesying that Judah and Jerusalem were going to fall, but now the truth of his prophesy was a reality.  People today may refuse to believe that Jesus Christ is the only hope of salvation and that He is coming again to judge the sins of people, but it doesn't make it any less true. Verse sixteen states, The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned!  Jeremiah acknowledged that the people had lost their freedom as a result of their sins.  They had no one to blame but themselves.  It was not God's fault that they were in the condition that they were in.  Every individual today has only himself or herself to blame if they face God's ultimate judgment without hope.  God has made salvation available to everyone, but too many people, like those in Jeremiah's day, refuse to believe His word.  Verse seventeen declares, For this our heart is faint; for these things our eyes are dim.  Verse eighteen adds, Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.  Jeremiah said that the people were in deep sorrow because Zion, which was seen as the place of God, and all things associated with Him had fallen.  Verse nineteen proclaims, Thou, O LORD, remainest for ever; thy throne from generation to generation.  Jeremiah acknowledged the eternal nature of God, even if everything associated with Him had been destroyed.   God will never cease to exist, even if everything associated with Him today is destroyed.  Of course,  as followers of Christ,  everything can never be destroyed in our life, because the Holy Spirit lives in us.  Verse twenty asks, Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time?  Jeremiah asked how God could seemingly forget them forever, and we know that God never forgets anyone, especially those that are His people.  The problem was that the people of Judah and Jerusalem had forgotten God and not the other way around.   Verse twenty-one states, Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.   Jeremiah called on God to turn the people to Him once more, and God had always stood ready to forgive and restore them if they returned to Him.  God will never force anyone to believe in and follow Him, but He always stands ready to restore people to a right relationship with Him if they only come to Him for forgiveness.  Verse twenty-two concludes, But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us.  Jeremiah said that God had utterly rejected the people of Judah and Jerusalem,  but once more, the opposite was true.  The majority of the people had utterly rejected God.  

Lamentations 5:1

 Lamentations 5:1 says, Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach.  Jeremiah called on God to remember what was happening to thr people of Judah and Jerusalem.  We really don't have to ask God to be aware of what is happening in our lives individually or as a nation collectively, because He is always aware.   Verse two states, Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens.  People of other nations had taken over their land.  Still, this was because of their disobedience, and if we are defeated spiritually today it will be because of our disobedience to God.  Even though our salvation is everlasting, we may still at times allow sin back into our lives.  Verse three adds, We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers are as widows,  When they rejected the heavenly Father, they were as orphans and Fatherless.   Verse four says, We have drunken our water for money; our wood is sold unto us.  Even water was not free when they were under the authority of other nations.  We should never forget that all our blessings come from God.  If we turn away from Him, the we will find ourselves in need spiritually of the living water, which cannot be bought, but is given freely.  God had given His people a land flowing with milk and honey, and after they rejected Him, they didn't even have water to drink freely.  Verse five adds, Our necks are under persecution: we labour, and have no rest.  They were continually working under oppression instead of working for their own benefit and God's glory.  Verse six says, We have given the hand to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.  Jeremiah said that the people of Judah, and Israel as well, had placed themselves under the authority of the Egyptians and Assyrians for protection.  They had quit lookin to God for protection and thought they could find it under other nations, but it did not work.  We will never find protection anywhere but in God.  Verse seven adds, Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities.  Jeremiah said that the fathers of the people had sinned and that they had borne their iniquities.  Even though their fathers may have sinned and been responsible for the people being enslaved, unless the current generation returned to God, the responsibility was theirs as well.  Every individual is responsible for his or her own sins.  Verse eight states, Servants have ruled over us: there is none that doth deliver us out of their hand.  Those who had been their servants were now in a position of power over them.  It was not just the rulers of the Chaldeans that had power over the people of Judah, but the servants of the Chaldeans did as well.  Verse nine declares, We gat our bread with the peril of our lives because of the sword of the wilderness.  Jeremiah said even getting bread, one of the most basic of needs, was dangerous.  There is no real safety in the world outside of the protection of God.  Verse ten adds, Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine.  Famine had left their skin dry and parched, probably because of their being out scrounging for food.  Verse eleven states, They ravished the women in Zion, and the maids in the cities of Judah.  The men could not protect their wives and daughters from being ravaged and abused.  This was possible one of the hardest things to bear.  Death is not always the worst fate, unless we die without putting our faith in Jesus Christ, 

Lamentations 4:13

 Lamentations 4:13 says,The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem. For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her,  Jeremiah said that no one would have believed that Jerusalem could be defeated.   This was because of the protection of God, which they no longer had because of their sins..  Not just the people, but the prophets and priests of Jerusalem were guilty of sins.  These were the religious leaders.  It is bad enough when any person who calls them self a follower of Christ doesn't truly have a personal relationship with Him, but it is even worse when those who call themselves preachers and teachers do not.  Verse fourteen adds, They have wandered as blind men in the streets, they have polluted themselves with blood, so that men could not touch their garments.  The prophets and priests wandered around like blind men with blood on their hands.  Verse fifteen states, They cried unto them, Depart ye; it is unclean; depart, depart, touch not: when they fled away and wandered, they said among the heathen, They shall no more sojourn there.  Jeremiah pointed out the hypocrisy of these religious leaders, who had called the Gentiles unclean while they themselves were filled with sin.  We need to be sure that we are not denouncing the sins of others while we are guilty of allowing sin to rule our life.  Verse sixteen declares, The anger of the LORD hath divided them; he will no more regard them: they respected not the persons of the priests, they favoured not the elders.  Jeremiah said that God would no longer protect the people of Jerusalem and Judah, because they did not obey His laws.  Verse seventeen adds, As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save us.  The people of Jerusalem had looked in vain for deliverance, or salvation, from some other nation, or source, instead of looking to God in obedience to His word.  We may look for salvation from some other source today, but salvation comes only from God through faith in Jesus Christ as one's personal Savior and Lord.   Verse eighteen says, They hunt our steps, that we cannot go in our streets: our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come.  Though there might have been a time when no enemy could have come into Jerusalem, the people were now afraid to go out into the streets and knew that their defeat was ar hand.  Verse nineteen adds, Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.  The people of Jerusalem and Judah could not outrun their enemies.   We cannot always outrun our enemies today as Christians, but if we remain faithful to God, He will always defeat them for us.  Verse twenty states, The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.  The people thought that even though their leader had fallen that they could still survive as God's people under the rule of those who had defeated them.  If we are God's people in name only we may think that we can survive by accepting the rule of those who do not believe in God, and who may even think that they have defeated Him, but this will never be true.   Verse twenty-one states, Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked.  There was still hope for God's people if they returned to Him.  God is still our only source of hope today.   Verse twenty-two adds, The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; he will no more carry thee away into captivity: he will visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will discover thy sins.  When the punishment for their sins was complete, then God would restore them.  When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, our captivity by sin is over.  We are restored to a right relationship with God. 

Lamentations 4:1

Lamentations 4:1 aays, How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street.  The gold of the temple had become tarnished and the fine gold of the ornaments thrown into the streets.  Verse two adds, The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!  The house of God, the temple, and the people of God, Judah and Israel, had been held in high esteem like fine gold, but now they were seen as mere earthen vessels made by a potter.  Since their rebellion against God had lost them their protection from God, they were a weak and powerless people.  Without God's protection today, we as followers of Christ would be a weak and powerless people too often, which is why we must live in obedience to Him.  Verse three states, Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.  The little children were suffering from lack of nourishment.  Verse four adds, The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them.  Jeremiah continued to speak of the suffering of the children, who were reliant on their parents for their food and drink.  As followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to meet not only our children's physical needs, but their spiritual needs as well.  We cannot afford to leave them spiritually hungry and thirsty.  Verse five says, They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.  Not only the children, but all the people of Judah and Israel were left hungry, even though they had been blessed with plenty when following God.  Verse six declares, For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.  Jeremiah said that the punishment of Judah and Israel was greater than the punishment of Sodom.  Sometimes falling immediately is better than suffering for a long time.  The people of Sodom never had to endure long time suffering like the people in Jeremiah's day were.  Verse seven states, Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire:  Verse eight adds, Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.  The Nazarites, some of the most devout and healthy of God's chosen people,  had also been brought down.  Our devotion to earthly standards will never keep us safe if we are not following God's will for our life.   Verse nine proclaims, They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.  Jeremiah said that those who had been killed by the sword were better off than those who were dying of hunger.  If we are killed for our belief in God today, it may not be the worst outcome.   Of course, those who were supposed to be God's people then were suffering because of their lack of belief in and faithfulness to God.  Verse ten adds, The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people.  Mothers were killing their children because of their lack of food and the ability to provide for them.  Today, women kill their children before they are born simply because they would be an inconvenience.   Verse eleven states, The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.  Jeremiah said that it was God Who had brought about the destruction of His rebellious people.  No matter what happens in this life, it is God's judgment that will be the final one.  Verse twelve adds, The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.  Jeremiah said that the people of the world had not believed that Jerusalem could or would be defeated.  This only happened because of their rebellion against God.  If we as Christians remain faithful to God then the world will never defeat us. 

Lamentations 3:55

 Lamentations 3:55 says, I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon.  When he was in the dungeon, Jeremiah called out to the LORD, by name.  I believe this indicates a personal relationship with God, or at least a personal belief in God.  If we call out to God by name, we have to at least believe that He exists, and if He is to hear our prayers, we must pray in faith believing He will answer, which makes the relationship personal.  Verse fifty-six adds, Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.  Jeremiah asked God to not hide from hearing him.  Matthew Henry points out that his prayer was as natural as breathing, as should our prayers be today.  This should be the way of our prayer life at all times, and not just in times of distress.  Verse fifty-seven declares, Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.  Jeremiah said when he cried out to God in prayer that God told him not to fear.  We are not told that Jeremiah's condition changed, but that God simply told him to not be afraid.  If we put our faith in God, then we never have a need to be afraid, no matter what is happening in life.  Verse fifty-eight adds, Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.  Jeremiah said God had interceded for his soul and redeemed his life.  Through Jesus Christ, God has interceded for anyone who will accept His gift of salvation and will save that person's soul.  Verse fifty-nine states, O LORD, thou hast seen my wrong: judge thou my cause.  Jeremiah didn't say that he was guiltless, but placed his life in God's judgment.  We cannot claim to be guiltless of sin today, but we can ask that God judge us through our relationship with Jesus Christ, which is the only way that we can have hope.  Verse sixty adds, Thou hast seen all their vengeance and all their imaginations against me.  Jeremiah said that he knew that God was aware of what was going on in his life and of the vengeance that people felt against him.  Many of these were God's chosen people who not only refused to listen to Jeremiah but also imprisoned him.  Verse sixty-one continues, Thou hast heard their reproach, O LORD, and all their imaginations against me;  Jeremiah really didn't have to state that God knew of his afflictions, but even so he acknowledged that God knew.  We should always have faith that God knows what is going on in our life, whether good or bad.  Verse sixty-two says, The lips of those that rose up against me, and their device against me all the day.  Verse sixty-three adds, Behold their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their musick.  Jeremiah said that the people spoke against him all day long and that they plotted against him all the time as well.  Verse sixty-four declares, Render unto them a recompence, O LORD, according to the work of their hands.  Jeremiah asked that God punish his enemies according to their works.  We are called to a higher standard, where we ask that God forgive our enemies, because if we are judged by our works we are all guilty and deserving of death.  Verse sitxty-five adds, Give them sorrow of heart, thy curse unto them.  Then verse sixty-six concludes, Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the LORD.  Again, we may know that God will one day punish those who refuse His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, and they may mistreat us continually, but our prayer should be for their salvation.  This is the example that Jesus Christ set for us.

Lamentations 3:21

 Lamentations 3:21 says, This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  Like Jeremiah, when things seem to be going all wrong, if we recall God in our mind, then we have hope.  Verse twenty-two adds, It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  Jeremiah said that it was because of God's mercy that they were not consumed and did not fail, and this will always be true.  Verse twenty-three declares, They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  I believe that hope was what Jeremiah was saying was new every morning, and our hope should be new every morning as well because of the mercy of God.   Verse twenty-four adds, The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.  Jeremiah said God was his portion and that he would hope in Him.  We should say the same thing as followers of Christ.  We should want no more than what God provides for us.  Verse twenty-five proclaims, The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.  Even in all the defeat that Judah had experienced, Jeremiah said that God was good to those who wait on and seek Him.  If we are missing the goodness of God, it may be that we aren't waiting on or seeking Him.  Verse twenty-six declares, It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.  Jeremiah said this and it still hasn't changed.  It is good to quietly hope for and wait for the salvation of the Lord, which is the only place salvation can come from.  Verse twenty-seven adds, It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.  We probably don't want to hear about wearing a yoke, but Jesus said that His yoke is light, and the sooner we can come under His guidance, which is what a yoke is for, the better off we are.  Verse twenty-eight continues, He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.  I believe this means that we should neither boast or complaiin about serving God.  Verse twenty-nine  says, He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.  I believe this is another call for humility on the part of those who serve God.  Verse thirty states, He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.  This doesn't mean that we speak badly, or give cheek as we might say, to those who strike us, but that we turn the other cheek.  Verse thirty-one declares, For the Lord will not cast off for ever:  Those who had defeated Judah believed that they had defeated the God of Judah as well, but Jeremiah said that was not going to last forever.  God always has and always will be victorious over evil.  Verse thirty-two adds, But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.  When we are disobedient to God, as the people of Judah were, we may suffer punishment from God, as they did, but He prefers to show us mercy.  The choice is ours, to either accept His merciful gift of salvation or to suffer His punishment for our sins.  Verse thirty-three declares, For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.  Jeremiah tells us that it is not God's will to punish us, but He will if we don't come to Him by faith in salvation provided by Jesus Christ.   Verse thirty-four says, To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,  God does not crush us for no reason, nor does He expect those that He might work through to correct His people to do so.  Verse thirty-five adds, Of course, our sin gives Him a reason, but He still chooses to reach out to us in mercy.  Verse thirty-five adds, To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High,  Then verse thirty six concludes, To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not.  God will never endorse the oppression of people, and those who do so will merit His judgment. 

Lamentations 3:37

Lamentations 3:37 says, Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?  This is another way of asking who would say that God is wrong in what He says.  Many people in Jeremiah's day, even the religious leaders, were saying just that, and many people in the world do so today.   Verse thirty-eight states, Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?  Jeremiah said that evil, or punishment, and good could both come from God.  Some people today say that they don't believe in hell because a loving God would not send people to such a place, and He doesn't, but He allows them to go there if they refuse His gracious salvation.  Verse thirty-nine asks, Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?  Jeremiah asked why we should complain about the punishment of our sins.  God has warned that all sin will be punished, so why should we complain when it is.  God also made it possible to avoid that punishment through faith in Jesus Christ, the Messiah Who was to come then and the Messiah Who has come now.  There is no one with a reason to complain about God's judgment.  Veree forty declares, Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.  Jeremiah tells us that instead of complaining about God's judgment that we should search, or examine, our ways and turn to God again if we find that we are no longer living by His guidance.   Verse forty-one adds, Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.  Jeremiah also said that instead of complaining that we should lift up our hearts and hands to God in praise.  When things are not going well, do we still praise God, or do we start to question Him and feel sorry for ourselves.  Verse forty-two declares, We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned.  Jeremiah said that the people of Judah and Jerusalem had rebelled and God had not pardoned them.  This was because they had not repented and returned to God.  The sad news is that God has already pardoned everyone if they will only come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ, and yet the majority never will.  Verse forty-three says,Thou hast covered with anger, and persecuted us: thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied.  Jeremiah said that God had persecuted them with anger, but it was their sin that led Him to this action.  Verse forty-four adds,Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through.  Jeremiah said that God had hidden Himself from them, but they really had hidden themselves from His will.  If we truly seek God, then He will be found.  Verse forty-five states, Thou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people.  Jeremiah said that the rest of the world now saw the people of Judah and Jerusalem as trash.  They had lost the protection of God because of their rebellion.  If we who call ourselves followers of Christ do not obey God's commandments, the people of the world may see God allowing us to be defeated as He chastises us.  Verse forty-six adds, All our enemies have opened their mouths against us.  Jeremiah said that every enemy was crying out against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.  The people of the world today are likewise crying out against Christians, but we must remain faithful to God and make sure that it isn't our disobedience to God that is causing this to happen.   Verse forty-seven continues, Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction.  They were living in fear of the world and what the people of the world were doing to them instead of living in fear of the judgment of God which led them to this condition.  We as followers of Christ should never live in fear of the world.  Verse forty-eight states, Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.  Jeremiah was crying about the destruction the people of Judah and Jerusalem, just as we should be crying for the lost of the world today who are facing everlasting punishment.  Verse forty-nine adds, Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission,  Jeremiah said he was continously crying, not for himself, but for the people of Judah and Jerusalem.  Verse fifty states, Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven.  Verse fifty-one adds, Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.  Jeremiah said that what he saw happening to those who were called God's people affected his heart and he was waiting for God to look down in mercy.  Verse fifty-two says, Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause.  Jeremiah said that his enemies chased him without cause, and even though Jeremiah was faithful to God, his enemies were being successful because of the sins of God's chosen people.  Verse fifty-three adds, They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.  Verse fifty-four concludes, Waters flowed over mine head; then I said, I am cut off.  Jeremiah may have felt cut off from God, but he really wasn't.  Sometimes today if the world seems to close in on us, we may feel cut off from God, but if we are true followers of Christ we never will be.

Lamentations 3:1

 Lamentations 3:1 says, I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.  Jeremiah had indeed seen the affliction of God's wrath, not because of his own disobedience, but because of the disobedience of the people of Judah and Jerusalem.  We may sometimes suffer because of the sins of others, but we will still be assured of our everlasting salvation if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse two says, He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light.  Without the light of God in the world,  we like Jeremiah will be left in darkness.  Verse three says, Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day.  Jeremiah felt as though God had turned against him all day long, but it was the sin of His people that God was judging.  Verse four states, My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones.  Jeremiah said that he was left physically suffering, though he had obeyed God.  We need to keep this in mind the next time that we hear the claim that God only wants us to be happy and prosperous.   Verse five says, He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.  This was just another statement about how Jeremiah felt when he was in the midst of God's punishment of His people.  Verse six states, He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old.  Without God's light, the world is encompassed in darkness.  Verse seven says, He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy.   Jeremiah said there was no way to escape God's punishment at that time, and the only way to escape it today is through faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse eight states, Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.  Jeremiah felt that God was not hearing his prayers, but God will always hear the prayers of His people, though if we do not get the answer we want we may feel that He doesn't.  Verse nine says, He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked.  Jeremiah said that he felt that he had no way out, and the only way out of the punishment of God today is through faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse ten states, He was unto me as a bear lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places.  God's judgment was compared to a bear or a lion lying in wait, but it was and is even more deadly for those whom God is judging.  Verse eleven says, He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate.  Verse twelve adds, He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.   Jeremiah said that God had turned aside from him and made him a target for God's punishment.  In this world full of sin, when God is sending His judgment on certain people, we may be caught up in the consequences, but that does not mean that God has abandoned us.  Verse thirteen continues, He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins.  This is just a continuation of how Jeremiah felt that God was punishing him, though it was not Jeremiah himself that was being punished.   Verse fourteen declares, I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day.  Though he was doing what God instructed him to do, Jeremiah said that his own people held him in derision.  Verse fifteen declares, He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.  Jeremiah said he was filled with bitterness, but no matter what happens in the world today, we as followers of Christ cannot afford to become bitter toward Him. Verse sixteen states, He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.  Verse seventeen adds, And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity.  Jeremiah said that there was no peace to be found for himself, but if we are truly following Christ,  then we should be at peace no matter what happens around us.   Verse eighteen declares, And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD:  Verse nineteen adds, Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.  Jeremiah said that his strength had failed and his hope with it, but even if our strength fails us, we can never allow our hope in God to fail.  Verse twenty states, My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.  Jeremiah said through it all though that his soul remembered God and he was humbled by his attitude.   If we start to question God's love and protection because of what is going on in the world around us, we need to remember our salvation through Christ is everlasting, and come to God in humility for questioning Him.

Lamentations 2:10

 Lamentations 2:10 says, The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground, and keep silence: they have cast up dust upon their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloth: the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground.  The people of Israel were in deep mourning at this time.   Verse eleven states, Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city.  Jeremiah said that he was also in deep mourning or distress because of the state of God's chosen people.   We, as followers of Christ, should be in deep distress when we see those who are called God's people in distress, even if they have brought the suffering on themselves by disobedience.   Verse twelve says, They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers’ bosom.  The children were crying out to their mothers asking where the food was.  We should be moved by compassion today when we see children crying out in hunger, but I believe we too often just see them as an inconvenience.  Verse thirteen asks, What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee?  Jeremiah asked what he could liken the suffering of the people of Judah and Israel to.  When God does pronounce His judgment on those who refuse to accept His salvation, there will be nothing to compare their suffering to.  Verse fourteen declares, Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.  Jeremiah said that the prophets had seen false things for the people and had not seen their iniquity.   If they had and had called the people to repentance, and they had responded, then the captivity might have been avoided.  We must be aware that we do not listen to false teachings or preaching today.  Verse fifteen adds, All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?  Jeremiah said that everyone who passed by laughed at what was once the city of Jerusalem, asking what had happened to the city that had called itself a city of perfection and beauty.  If we proclaim ourselves to be perfect today but are not following God's commandments and guidance, we will one day likewise fall.  Verse sixteen states,  All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed her up: certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it.  Jeremiah said that all of the enemies of God's chosen people would think that they had defeated them by their own power.  The lost people of the world may believe that they have defeated Christians, but they will never defeat those who are God's true followers by their own power nor for good.  Even if we lose our life in the world today as we stand for God, the victory is still ours through our faith in Jesus Christ.   Verse seventeen declares, The LORD hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused thine enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.  Jeremiah said that God had done what He said He would do to His people because He allowed them to be defeated since they had become His people in name only.   If we stop having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and following in obedience to God's word as what makes a person one of the family of God, then we should not be surprised if we are overcome by the world.  I know we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ alone, but once 2e accept Him as our personal Savior and Lord,  then we will be guided by by God's word.  Verse eighteen says, Their heart cried unto the Lord, O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night: give thyself no rest; let not the apple of thine eye cease.  Jeremiah told the people of Judah and Israel to cry out to their God if they would find relief from their suffering.   Verse nineteen adds, Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.  They were called on to sincerely seek God's forgiveness, crying out to Him from early in the morning.   When we find ourselves out of God's will, there is never time to wait to seek His forgiveness.   Verse twenty continues, Behold, O LORD, and consider to whom thou hast done this. Shall the women eat their fruit, and children of a span long? shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord?   There was  a  call tto God for Him to consider what He had done, but they needed to consider what they had done.  We should never feel that we have the right to attempt to question God's plan for the world.   Verse twenty-one states, The young and the old lie on the ground in the streets: my virgins and my young men are fallen by the sword; thou hast slain them in the day of thine anger; thou hast killed, and not pitied.  Once more, the blame seems to have been put on God for their suffering and not on their disobedience.   Verse twenty-two adds, Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrors round about, so that in the day of the LORD’s anger none escaped nor remained: those that I have swaddled and brought up hath mine enemy consumed.  Jeremiah said that there were none left of God's people,  but we know there was a remnant.  We should never feel that we are the only one left who believes in salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Lamentations 2:1

Lamentations 2:1 says, How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger!   Jeremiah said that God was the One Who had covered the people of Israel with His anger.  God was angry at the sin of the people of Israel.  We need to realize that God will always hate sin and that He has provided a way to escape the power of sin, so if someone feels the wrath of God it is their own rebellion that is responsible.  Verse  two adds, The Lord hath swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob, and hath not pitied: he hath thrown down in his wrath the strong holds of the daughter of Judah; he hath brought them down to the ground: he hath polluted the kingdom and the princes thereof.  God brought down the kingdom of Israel,  no matter what country may have defeated it.  As long as we are under God's protection, we will not be defeated, but if we give in to sin and idolatry it will be God Who defeats or punishes us.  Verse three states, He hath cut off in his fierce anger all the horn of Israel: he hath drawn back his right hand from before the enemy, and he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, which devoureth round.  Though God is a God of love, He also is a God Who judges and punishes sin, and Judah and Israel, God's chosen people, had turned their backs on Him.  Therefore, they suffered His punishment for their sins.  Verse four adds, He hath bent his bow like an enemy: he stood with his right hand as an adversary, and slew all that were pleasant to the eye in the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion: he poured out his fury like fire.  God had brought good things to those who were supposed to be His people, but since they refused to obey Him, they now were feeling His punishment.   We need to realize that God does not just overlook sin.  Verse five declares, The Lord was as an enemy: he hath swallowed up Israel, he hath swallowed up all her palaces: he hath destroyed his strong holds, and hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation.  God was an enemy of Israel because Israel had started to worship idols and deny His word.  If we, who call ourselves followers of Christ, begin to worship idols, which can be anything placed before God, then we should not be surprised that God will be angry with us.  Verse six adds, And he hath violently taken away his tabernacle, as if it were of a garden: he hath destroyed his places of the assembly: the LORD hath caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest.  God had done away with all the places associated with worship of Him, since they had been polluted, and had also done away with the king and priests who were supposed to represent Him.  Verse seven says, The Lord hath cast off his altar, he hath abhorred his sanctuary, he hath given into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces; they have made a noise in the house of the LORD, as in the day of a solemn feast.  The people of Israel and Judah had believed that as long as 5hey went through to motions of worshipping God that He would have to accept what they did as worship, but He destroyed their houses of worship.   We need to make sure that what we do today in the name of worshipping God is accountable in His eyes.  Verse eight adds, The LORD hath purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion: he hath stretched out a line, he hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying: therefore he made the rampart and the wall to lament; they languished together.  Matthew Henry says that this means that God set a limit on His punishment.  Not all of the people of Israel and Judah were destroyed, because there was a remnant that still believed in and followed God.  We as followers of Christ need to be a part of that remnant no matter what happens in the world.   Verse nine continues, Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes are among the Gentiles: the law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the LORD.  The people of Israel and Judah were now captives of the gentiles and their cities were destroyed.   As followers of Christ, we must be obedient to Him if we are not to suffer defeat from the powers of the world. 

Lamentations 1:12

Lamentations 1:12 says, Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.  Jeremiah asked if anyone cared about his sorrow,  which he attributed to the fierce anger of God.  Jeremiah was not speaking of himself alone, but of the nation of Judah.  Jeremiah's distress was due to his concern for the people of Judah and Jerusalem..  Verse thirteen adds, From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for my feet, he hath turned me back: he hath made me desolate and faint all the day.   Jeremiah recognized the grief and distress of the people of Judah as coming from God, and this was because of their rebellion against Him.   We as the church today must realize that if we stray away from God that He will bring His judgment on us.  Verse fourteen states, The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, and come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into their hands, from whom I am not able to rise up.  Jeremiah said that God hand bound the sins of the people of Judah like a yoke upon their neck.  Sin will always weigh us down and control us, whether we realize it or not.  Verse fifteen adds, The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress.  Once more, God is seen as the One behind the defeat of Judah.  As long as the people of Judah followed God and lived by their part of the covenant relationship with Him, He protected them, but when they started following false gods, He removed His protection.   We cannot expect God to protect us in the world today if we do not follow His guidance.  Verse sixteen says, For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.  Jeremiah said that the people were weeping because of the fact that the Comforter had left them.  The Holy Spirit is our Comforter today, and even though as Christians He will never leave us,, if we turn away from God and chase after the things or this world,  we will lose His protection.  Verse seventeen adds, Zion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her: the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob, that his adversaries should be round about him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them.  Jeremiah said that the people of Judah spread  out their hand  to God but that they could find no comfort.  I believe this was because they were still reaching out to God for Him to endorse their actions and not in real repentance.   Verse eighteen declares, The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity.  Here, Jeremiah acknowledges that it is because of sin that the people have been led away captive.  If we are suffering today as Christians, we need to make sure that it is not because of sin in our life.  Verse nineteen adds, I called for my lovers, but they deceived me: my priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, while they sought their meat to relieve their souls.  Jeremiah said that the false gods, who had been followed even by the priests, had failed them, as false gods and false priests will always do.  Veree twenty states, Behold, O LORD; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is as death.   Jeremiah said that the people asked God to recognize their distress, but He already knew about it, and they were in distress because of their failure to be faithful to Him in the first place.   Verse twenty-one adds, They have heard that I sigh: there is none to comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that thou hast done it: thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called, and they shall be like unto me.  Jeremiah said that even though the enemies of the people of Judah rejoiced that one day their judgment would come as well.  Verse twenty-two concludes, Let all their wickedness come before thee; and do unto them, as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions: for my sighs are many, and my heart is faint.  Jeremiah said the people of Judah asked God to punish their enemies as He had punished them, and we can be certain that there is coming a day when everyone will be judged for their sins, and the only hope anyone has is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Lamentations 1:1

Lamentations 1:1 says, How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!  This book is credited to Jeremiah, so I  will refer to him as the one writing what is said in the book.  Jeremiah was lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem and asking how it could be true.  Of course,  I believe he knew why, and that was because of the judgment of God against the sins of the people of Jerusalem and all of Judah.  Verse two adds, She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies.  Jeremiah said that those who had been friends of the people of Jerusalem had dealt treacherously with her.  We should realize that we like the people of Jerusalem and Judah can never depend on those who do not believe in God and may even be doing everything they can to discredit Him to stand by us in times of trouble if we are followers of Christ.  Verse three states, Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwelleth among the heathen, she findeth no rest: all her persecutors overtook her between the straits.  Jeremiah was troubled because Judah had been taken away captive and now was in great servitude to the heathen.  The people of Judah had begun to worship the false gods of the heathen, those who were not God's people, and now they were enslaved by them.  As Christians, if we allow some false gods to come into our lives, we should not be surprised if we are soon imprisoned by them.  Verse four adds, The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness.  Jeremiah said that no one in Judah was coming to worship God.  They had already abandoned worshipping God even before they were taken away captive, and now there was no one left to worship Him.  Verse five says, Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy.  Jeremiah then acknowledged that this happened because of the multitude of transgressions by the people of Judah.   If we suffer the punishment of God, it will be because of our sins and not simply because God has arbitrarily chosen to punish us.  Verse six adds, And from the daughter of Zion all her beauty is departed: her princes are become like harts that find no pasture, and they are gone without strength before the pursuer.  The beauty of the daughter of Zion had been her relationship with God, and once that was gone, so was her beauty.  As Christians, it is our relationship to Christ that gives us beauty in the world, and if we abandon His calling and do not follow His guidance, then we lose the beauty of that relationship.   Verse seven declares, Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her: the adversaries saw her, and did mock at her sabbaths.  Jeremiah said the people of Judah remembered the days when they enjoyed the pleasant things of life before God allowed them to be defeated and enslaved.  If we are followers of Christ and find ourselves imprisoned by the things of this world, we need to remember that God is the One Who brings us joy.  Verse eight adds, Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; therefore she is removed: all that honoured her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness: yea, she sigheth, and turneth backward.  Again Jeremiah said it was because of the sins of the people of Judah that she was suffering.  Sin will always ultimately bring suffering.  Verse nine continues, Her filthiness is in her skirts; she remembereth not her last end; therefore she came down wonderfully: she had no comforter. O LORD, behold my affliction: for the enemy hath magnified himself.  Jeremiah said that because of the sins of Judah, she had no Comforter, which was God Himself I believe.  We need to look to the Comforter, Jesus Christ, today to find forgiveness for sins and restoration with God.  Verse ten states, The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things: for she hath seen that the heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into thy congregation.  The places of worship, which should have been set aside for God and His people, were desecrated by the people of the world, those who did not believe in God.  We need to be careful that we do not allow the things of this world to desecrate the places of God today, and that means more than the church buildings.  We must keep every aspect of our life set aside for God.   Verse eleven adds, All her people sigh, they seek bread; they have given their pleasant things for meat to relieve the soul: see, O LORD, and consider; for I am become vile.  Jeremiah said that the people of Judah were willing to give up everything simply for bread to eat.  We can never afford to turn away from God simply to meet material or physical needs.