Lamentations 3:1-66 ~ Hebrews 1:1-14 ~ Psalm 102:1-28 ~ Proverbs 26:21-22
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~
Old Testament – Lamentations Chapter 3 today starts out quite sad and empty in verses 1-20. Of course, the reason for this sadness and emptiness in these opening verses is God’s discipline toward the people of Jerusalem at this time. They had sinned greatly and thus this discipline had come upon them. I think the thing for us to remember in seasons like this in our lives is that it is typically only a season. This too shall pass – if we repent & learn & grow and return to the Lord. Indeed, we see the transition in chapter 21: “Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this…” I love this! “I still dare to hope” – even in the midst of so much sadness & emptiness. In the midst of our tough seasons in life, can we still dare to hope? Why should we still dare to hope? Will you still dare to hope?
Verses 22 to 66 in today’s readings are just phenomenal. I could write on and on about probably each of these verses. There is so much here for us. I’d encourage you to read these verses at least twice and meditate on them and how they might apply to your life today. I’ll jump through a couple of verses here that stood out to me. Verse 23 – “Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day.” Do you experience God’s mercies afresh each day? Do you believe that you can?
Verse 25 – “The LORD is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him.” If you are not experiencing God now, will you wait for him? Will you seek him? (this reminds me of Jeremy Camp’s tune on his worship album – “I’ll wait for the Lord. My soul waits”. Great tune and great reminder that we sometimes need to wait on the Lord).
New Testament – Today we begin the book of Hebrews! What a wonderful book. I read somewhere that this book is a “letter of encouragement.” I do pray this book will encourage you. There is so much in this one! The author of the book of Hebrews is unknown. For many centuries, it was thought to be Paul. However, around the time of the Reformation it was thought that this letter was not from Paul, because the writing style is so different from his other letters – and because in all of his other letters, he identifies himself as the writer of the letter. Some now think that either Barnabas or Apollos were two of the potential writers of this letter. It was likely written before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in A.D. 70, because the temple is referred to as if it still exists in this letter. What I love about Hebrews is the multitudes of references back to Old Testament scriptures. As you read through Hebrews, I would encourage you to take note of how many OT scriptures this book is referring back to. Below is an image of Barnabas’ life – a potential candidate for authorship of Hebrews. You’ll see Barnabas caring for Paul on the left after Paul was stoned and you’ll see Barnabas on the right assisting Paul in his ministry.
~ Hebrews ~
Author: Uncertain
Place: Uncertain
Date: A.D. 60-69
Content: This important letter was written to Jewish Christians who were perhaps thinking of returning to their old ways in Judaism. It was designed to show that now because Christ has come, there remains nothing in Judaism for the believer. The time of fulfillment has arrived and it would be futile to return to the old life which was inherently inferior to the new life found in the Gospel. This is justified by showing that in every way Christ is better – he is superior to angels, to Moses, and to the Old Testament priest. He mediates a better covenant and offers a better sacrifice. The life of faith that the Christian lives is also better than the old life, proof of this coming from the lives of Old Testament saints who showed the way by their lives of faith.
Theme: The overall superiority of Christ and the Christian life is the central theme of this book. Other religious systems have value, no doubt, but they cannot compare with the work that God has done in Christ. Not even Judaism, which has the Old Testament, can compare, great as it was. Christ is the very essence of God, who did God’s work on earth by dying for our sins. What God requires of us now is trust in him. If we have faith then we have entered into the promises of God – fullness of life now and eternal life to come. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 31) A great overview of the book of Hebrews by Daniel Wallace is at this link.
In Hebrews chapter 1, the first 3 verses set the stage incredibly well for this book – “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. But now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he made the universe and everything in it. The Son reflects God’s own glory, and everything about him represents God exactly. He sustains the universe by the mighty power of his command. After he died to cleanse us from the stain of sin, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God of heaven.” Wow… great stuff. We have indeed been reading recently about God speaking through Jeremiah in our One Year Bible readings. And here we are reminded that God is now speaking to us through Jesus. How do these 3 verses above speak to your heart? Has Jesus cleansed you from the stain of sin?
The remaining verses in today’s reading refer to several OT scriptures that tell us Jesus is God. He is not an angel, but is God’s only Son who formed the earth and everything in it. One very amazing thing about our One Year Bible readings today is that we get some verses here in Hebrews 1:10-12 that correlate with our readings in Psalm 102:25-27:
“Lord, in the beginning you laid the foundation of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
Even they will perish, but you remain forever.
They will wear out like old clothing.
You will roll them up like an old coat.
They will fade away like old clothing.
But you are always the same;
you will never grow old.”
Bible Project: Here is a terrific video overview of the book of Hebrews!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fNWTZZwgbs
Psalms – Psalm 102 is a great reminder to us on the importance to pray. To bring our troubles to the Lord. Psalm 102 can also definitely be a comfort for us during a time of sorrow. I love the reminder about God in verse 27 (which Hebrews also reminded us of today in the verses above…) – “But you are always the same; your years never end.” God does not change. He is perfectly consistent. We are oftentimes inconsistent. But, our inconsistencies do not change God’s consistency. He is always the same – yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever. God is the one sure thing in life that you can count on – forever.
Proverbs – Proverbs 26:22 is another great reminder that rumors can invade our hearts – “What dainty morsels rumors are–but they sink deep into one’s heart.” We must always remember Proverbs 4:23 – “guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Don’t let rumors get in there!
Worship Video: Lamentations 3:23 obviously reminded me of the wonderful worship song “Great is Thy Faithfulness, ” sung here by Donnie McClurkin. This video is over 12 minutes long! But trust me, it is worth the time! Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDOSNf-O2ac
Can you sing “Great is Your Mercy” to God? Click here to sing!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:3 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving that Jesus has provided the purification for your sins and that He now sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven! Worship Jesus for his radiance and glory! Pray in thanksgiving that Jesus sustains you by his powerful Word.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy!
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
Lamentations 3:1-66
As I read today’s passage I had a visual image of Jerusalem crying out the words written by Jeremiah She is the one who has seen it all, the rise of David and the built up city and fortifications of Solomon. It was within her walls that the gold laden Temple was constructed and slowly dismantled as each successive king failed to protect her by not fully walking uprightly before God or else going head long into sin. Jerusalem, the City of Zion, was picked out by God to be the city He dwelt in and built by man to try to reflect His glory, then abandoned by each successive generation.
Yet despite our failure to be faithful to God, God remains faithful to His people.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======
I think Hebrews 1:9 is highly inspiring to me to live a holy life (which at times seems to me to be an impossibility) but of Jesus it says that He doesn’t ‘just do’ righteousness and justice but Jesus LOVES JUSTICE AND HE HATES EVIL. And it’s because of his proper motivation that ‘therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.” I want to get to that place where I will love to pursue righteous and justice, and that I will hate evil as the ‘natural default’ of my life as opposed to having to be righteous because that’s my duty and that’s required, yada yada. I guess these verses show that God blesses those who pursue Him for all the right motives.
Luch
=====
I am so excited to start the book of Hebrews. The first chapter was so encouraging to my heart already that I actually had to stop myself from reading on to the next chapter because I want to savor it.
Micah Girl
======
Thank you for reminding me that I need to wait on the Lord, and seek Him. So often I become impatient with things, but must remember that God will deliver His promises in His time, God bless you 🙂
Bizimama
=======
verses that stood out:
Lam. 3:22-25
” Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “ The LORD is my portion,” says my soul
“Therefore I hope in Him!” The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.”
I love Hebrews! Excited to read through it! Hebrews 1 is such a great chapter on the supremacy of Jesus Christ, our Lord..above the angels, equal to God the Father, yet a separate Person, He is God the Son. I love the readings!
Jenny
======
Hebrews is a theologian’s playground. There is hardly another New Testament book that ties Old Testament theology and doctrine so clearly to the New Covenant.
Nick
=======
I read somewhere that Jeremiah wrote Lamentations as acrostics.
Each chapter begins with successive letters of the 22 Hebrew alphabet
Twenty two verses each chapter but in chapter three there are three verses with each letter thus 66 verses.
This trivia only emphasis the love God still has for Israel as it experiencing His chastening hand.
Thanks Mike for leading our Bible in a Year
Doug
======
Great is Your Mercy” with Donnie McClurkin is awesome. How pleased God would be if all Believers would say these lyrics from their hearts to Him each day.
Be blessed,
Bev
======
The Lamentations 3:23 verse reminded me of the song, “The Steadfast Love of the Lord Never Ceases”. Of course, the hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness” is my favorite and I still get chills up my back when I sing the words in the chorus, “All I have needed Thy hand has provided”.
Thank you so much for providing the Bible Blog that is so helpful on a daily basis as a “working man’s commentary”. You have mentioned that you do not have a Seminary degree, however God has provided you with a gift of communicating His word in your own special way.
Dick
======
Both readings in Lamentations and Psalm are lamenting the suffering in life. But there are always praises to God till the end of chapter.
This reminds us as the sad story is told and there is always hope in the Lord. Praise His holy name!
Jack
======
I love how Jeremiah pours his heart out. Describing what He has seen all God do and fulfill. And, God…allows Jeremiah to articulately state how he was feeling as he saw all the destruction/punishment for the intentional sin in Israel.
Then, Jeremiah comes to this truth:
Lamentations 3
21 But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
Just like Jeremiah…David in Psalm 102, described the affliction he faced and came to the same truth:
12 But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever;
you are remembered throughout all generations.
13 You will arise and have pity on Zion;
it is the time to favor her;
the appointed time has come.
14 For your servants hold her stones dear
and have pity on her dust.
15 Nations will fear the name of the Lord,
and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory.
Imja
======
Lamentations I would guess is one of the least read books of the Bible but it is a shame because it is a great little book that has so much for us. It was written by a man whose heart was broken over the destruction of the city he loved and he was heart broken over the fact that time after time God had warned the Jews to repent of their sins and they rejected the prophets voice. I wonder if in our culture today are we just as calloused? God help us. pray and weep over our sins both for ourselves and for our society as a whole.
Roger
=======
Lamentations
If I am dealing with emotions, feelings and thoughts of grief, I have used Lamentations for reflection. To read and try to understand the sorrow, desperation, loneliness, loss of hope and loss of God is a look at why some people go down the rabbit hole of depression and possibly suicide. I have referred people to read scripture here when they are suffering, especially at funerals. A beautiful song that goes with this is by Bifrost Arts, “Our song in the night”.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/V_qEAqoX6LE?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent
It is very important to remember out of remembrance comes redemption! (5:21)
Robert
=====
I love the verse up above they that wait on the Lprd shall renew their strength! Amen..do we dare to hope? I sure hope so..Hope is the refuge for the soul!
I love the reflection of old verses in Hebrews. He -God is higher than the angels and the same yesterday today forevermore.
Our inconsistencies do not sway or keep God from doing what he does..which is awesome.
Yes guard your heart..more than ever..this is the wellspring of life..and so many want to quarrel..amd it’s not good. It’s sad..Lord help our children today to avoid this! Amen
Dee
Leave a Reply