Have You Forgotten Your King?

via TJC

You, Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation.

Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long? - Lamentations 5:19-20

After five chapters of lamenting, the book is left unresolved. Instead the author acknowledges that God is the sovereign ruler of creation but also asks why they have been abandoned. As if he didn’t know. He seems to be sweeping their years of disobedience under the rug in the hope that the judgment will subside if Israel can show God that they remember who God truly is. The author seems to understand that the blessings they enjoyed in the land were conditional on their right relationship with the Lord but he also wants to hear a confirmation or clarification from God about what they did wrong. He sounds taken aback by the judgment even though the severe national crisis they were experiencing was a direct consequence of their violation of His Law and rebellion against Him and thus, justly deserved.

Brothers, for many of us, when we encounter suffering our first instinct is to pray that it will go away—even when we are suffering the natural consequences of our own sin. I know that I have a tendency to desire my circumstances to improve instead of for my relationship with God to grow. It can seem like God has forgotten me when in reality, I have forgotten Him. Imagine if we saw our suffering as a reminder to seek a deeper dependence on God for who He is instead of just for what He can give us and do for us! Then each day our love for Him can increase even in the midst of trials.

Daily Battle Order:

Today, pray that the Lord would search your heart and reveal to us any unconfessed sin, including any tendencies to seek an easy way out of your suffering that does not require the hard work and choice of repentance. Then, ask for Him to restore you to Himself, vowing to not forget who He is, our King!