How often in our busy lives do we just stop and say, "God, am I on track? Am I pleasing You? Is there something I'm missing?" Most of the time, I think we just barrel ahead, trying to get it all done, but not contemplating the fact that we may be moving so fast in a direction that is not of God's leading.
In Lamentations, a book often overlooked but packed with insight into the way God deals with His children when they have wandered away from Him, Jeremiah (most likely the author, but not in certainty) laments over the destruction of Jerusalem and the taking of the people of Israel into captivity by the Babylonians. I find it interesting that the Roman Catholic church often reads the Book of Lamentations during the last three days of Holy Week...a practice designed to remind people of the need to confront their sinfulness and return to lives of obedience to God.
Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
What a difference it would make in our lives if this would be the first thought of our days....examine our lives, laying out our plans side-by-side with the teachings of the Bible, and testing them to make sure they line up...and when they don't, not wasting a minute to make the necessary adjustments and return wholeheartedly to our Lord.
Jeremiah's song of lament goes back and forth between bemoaning the effect of Israel's sin, stating his understanding of the need for God's judgment over Israel, praising God for His ever-abiding faithfulness, exhorting the people to return to God's ways, and praying to God for restoration. It is written at a sad time in the history of Israel, a time post the glory of David and Solomon, and yet those times are remembered in the face of the destruction now seen.
When our lives have taken a turn for the worse, it seems then we find the time for examination. "What went wrong?" Let's not wait for those times...let's examine our lives on a regular, daily basis to avoid the questions of regret.
God's ways are good ways for us....let's test our ways and make sure they are one in the same. Ask Him, He will let you know.
Psalms 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (NIV)
Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong - then guide me on the road to eternal life. (The Message)
In Lamentations, a book often overlooked but packed with insight into the way God deals with His children when they have wandered away from Him, Jeremiah (most likely the author, but not in certainty) laments over the destruction of Jerusalem and the taking of the people of Israel into captivity by the Babylonians. I find it interesting that the Roman Catholic church often reads the Book of Lamentations during the last three days of Holy Week...a practice designed to remind people of the need to confront their sinfulness and return to lives of obedience to God.
Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
What a difference it would make in our lives if this would be the first thought of our days....examine our lives, laying out our plans side-by-side with the teachings of the Bible, and testing them to make sure they line up...and when they don't, not wasting a minute to make the necessary adjustments and return wholeheartedly to our Lord.
Jeremiah's song of lament goes back and forth between bemoaning the effect of Israel's sin, stating his understanding of the need for God's judgment over Israel, praising God for His ever-abiding faithfulness, exhorting the people to return to God's ways, and praying to God for restoration. It is written at a sad time in the history of Israel, a time post the glory of David and Solomon, and yet those times are remembered in the face of the destruction now seen.
When our lives have taken a turn for the worse, it seems then we find the time for examination. "What went wrong?" Let's not wait for those times...let's examine our lives on a regular, daily basis to avoid the questions of regret.
God's ways are good ways for us....let's test our ways and make sure they are one in the same. Ask Him, He will let you know.
Psalms 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (NIV)
Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong - then guide me on the road to eternal life. (The Message)
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