Restore Us

Daily Reading: Lamentations 5

Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may be restored! (Lamentations 5.21)

Devotional Thought: As Jeremiah's Lamentations come to an end, he returns to hope. 

What led to hope's return?

·       Reign: "But you, O LORD, reign forever; your throne endures to all generations" (v. 19).  When you feel that things are out of control, remember that one day the seventh angel will blow his trumpet and proclaim: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11.15).

·       Remembrance: "Why do you forget us forever?" (v. 20).  Jeremiah knew this feeling of being forgotten was only temporary.  Be encouraged by the words of another prophet: "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" (Isaiah 49.15, NIV)

·       Restoration: "Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored!" (v. 21).  Restoration can take many forms.  Jeremiah knew the most important was the restoration of ourselves by God and to God.  "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast" (1 Peter 5.10, NIV).

·       Renewal: "Renew our days as of old" (v. 21).  Like Jeremiah, "we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4.16).

One day, our lamentations shall come to an end - forever!  Thanks be to God.

Prayer:  Lord, I rest in the assurance of these words: "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes."  Amen.  (Jeremiah 29.11-14)

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 18.25-30

25 With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless;

26 with the purified you show yourself pure; and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous.

27 For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down.

28 For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness.

29 For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.

30 This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.