The Faithful God!

The Faithful God!

‭‭‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:22‭-‬23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[22] It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, Because his compassions fail not. [23] They are new every morning: Great is thy faithfulness.

The Context and Focus:

As you read the verses above, it is difficult to understand how they relate to the entire book from where they were taken. From the very first verse of the book of Lamentations, you read words of woe. What a way to start a book of the bible, but then, you get a picture of God's heart as to his relationship and expectations from man. Israel and Judah were the chosen people of God by the covenant He made with Abraham, and he had laid out very clear instructions on how He wanted His people to live. He gave them commandments, as well as modes of worship and sacrifices, so they could keep the line of communication with him clear and simple. He also gave them a land they could call their own, so no one would bother them. The power of one man's walk with God as well as the power of a man's fall from grace are seen in the lives of Adam and Abraham. But like all things human, with comfort and convenience comes carelessness. Recall that after the death of Joseph, there arose in Egypt a Pharaoh that did not remember Joseph and the mighty things he had done to preserve Egypt. Imagine also that not long after the death of Joshua, after most of the tribes had been settled in their towns, the bible records that there arose a generation in Israel who knew neither the Lord nor the things He had done. How did this happen to a nation that had seen God do mighty things in their lives, and even to their enemies? How does man forget the amazing things that God has done, to the point where he goes into rebellion and disobedience? 

Of course, by God's express instructions, He had to apply the rules He had laid down for his people. God punishes sin, no matter in whom it is found. 

The Message:

God has no favourites when it comes to sin, and it will not matter how much God has blessed a man in the past. Sin changes the entire landscape, because God is too holy to look at sin. Sin opens the door for the devil to also oppress, suppress, repress and depress. This was the context in which the book of Lamentations was written. Let it be known and settled today that sin is, and will always be a reproach to any one. Israel and Judah were God's favourites, but the punishment for their sin was in line with His warnings. The best was sent into exile, away from the land of promise, some never to return. Some were left in the city, which was mostly burned to the ground, with no food, water or basic provisions. A land that was the envy of many became the target of miscreants and robbers. Please do not toy or play with sin. Before God, the sin of lying carries the same eternal punishment as the sin of adultery. Some may have immediate consequences, but all have eternal consequences if not repented of. That is what makes the verses above sometimes difficult to read. They stand in contrast to the rest of the book. In the midst of the punishment, you find God's purpose for man laid out. Even when God has a right to be angry, we see his lovingkindnesses unable to let go of us. Even when the punishment is just, His mercy is also part of his nature.

The Conclusion:

David had an idea of what this meant when God asked him to choose his punishment. Imagine the relationship a man can have with God to the point where you choose how He will punish you. David would rather place himself in the hands of God than in the hands of men, because he had seen the effect of the mercy of God, as well as the wickedness of man. Even when God sent the punishment, before the three days were over, God relented and stopped the plague. Imagine spending 9 months and 20 days to count 1,300,000 people, only for 70,000 people to die even before the time alloted has passed. Every day I am given is a reminder to be grateful, but to also remind myself of the requirements and demands of God for the life he has given me. God has never stopped being faithful to His Word, and generations long before ours have testified to the nature of God, we are now seeing it too, and generations after us will still testify to the faithfulness of God, if the Lord tarries. I am the one who has to sort out my allegiance and commitment. Now I know who God is and what He wants. I know what he hates and what he loves, and as a child who wants to please his parents, it is important that I constantly check my life's pursuits and priorities so that they keep aligning with God's will. God will play His part. Would I also do the same? God's time of favour is here.