Scripture Reading : Lamentation 1
Theme : The Desolation and Misery of Jerusalem
The book of Lamentations is made up of five poems expressing grief over the fall of Jerusalem. The book teaches the remnant how to live in pain while in exile, which is also applicable to NT saints who are also in exile, away from the New Heavens and New Earth (cf. 1 Pet. 2:11). Both mourning over suffering and confession of sin are displayed in this book. What holds the two together and gives hope to individuals is the great faithfulness and compassion of God, which is “new every morning.”
Misery of Jerusalem (1-23).
This chapter is a dialogue between the prophet Jeremiah and Jerusalem. The description of the brokenness of Israel is designed to move the remnant to plead God for mercy and to return to God’s lordship. Because Israel failed to obey God, the result was brokenness in numerous ways both to the nation and to individuals. Israel is broken by the betrayal of her “lovers” and “friends,” which are nations and their idols that the Jews trusted for pleasure and salvation. Jeremiah encourages the exiles to agree with God’s judgement on Israel’s sin (v.18) and to return to God.
Praying the Scripture
The world is full of brokenness: broken relationships, crimes, misery, addictions, suffering and death. They are the symptoms of our rebellion against God and His design for us. However, these symptoms are designed to help us to see that we need to return to God through Jesus. If humans try to amend their brokenness with their own ways, nothing will be solved permanently. Only through Jesus can problems be solved at its root. Pray that you will have wisdom to bring the gospel to people who are in their brokenness and help them to see clearly that the solution to their brokenness is only by worshipping the God of peace, righteous and love; and by the forgiveness of their sins through Jesus.
经文：耶利米哀歌1
主题：耶路撒冷的荒凉与忧患
耶利米哀歌是由五首诗歌组成的；诗歌内容都是叙述耶路撒冷沦陷后的忧患。这本书教导被逐的余民如何在哀痛中生活，而新约圣徒也能从中受益，因为我们也是客旅和寄居的，未回到新天新地的家园（参：彼前2:11）。这本书同时体现了因受苦的哀恸以及对罪的痛悔；支撑这两者的是神极大的信实和慈爱，且“每早晨这都是新的”。这亦是各人的盼望所在。
耶路撒冷的忧患（1-23）。
这章经文是耶利米先知和耶路撒冷之间的对话。它描绘了以色列的破碎，而其目的是要打动余民转向神求饶，重新归神，认祂为主。由于以色列不愿顺从神，其后果是对以色列国及个人多方的破碎与忧患。以色列是因被她“一切所亲爱的”与“朋友”出卖而忧伤；他们就是犹太人所信靠能救以色列并给予她快乐的国家和偶像。耶利米鼓励这群被放逐之民要认同神对以色列之罪的审判（18节），转而归神。
用经文祷告
这个世界是破碎的；人与人的关系破碎，还有罪行、痛苦、毒瘾、患难和死亡。这都是我们悖逆神与祂对我们的规划的种种迹象。然而，这些迹象也有助于我们看到自己需要藉着耶稣归向神的需要。倘若人类试着用自己的方式治疗创伤和痛苦，万事就无法得到永恒的解决。问题唯有藉着耶稣才得以根治。祷告你能有智慧将福音带到哀恸痛悔的人群中，叫他们能清楚看见其哀恸的唯一解决方案是敬拜那位平安、公义和慈爱的神，并借着耶稣，罪得赦免。
