Lamentation
Hear this word that I take up over you in lamentation, O house of Israel: “Fallen, no more to rise, is the virgin Israel; forsaken on her land, with none to raise her up.” For thus says the Lord GOD: “The city that went out a thousand shall have a hundred left, and that which went out a hundred shall have ten left to the house of Israel.”
Amos 5:1–3
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Lamentation
To lament is to mourn in a deeply personal way. Such songs of mourning are especially associated with death and in the days of Amos were often sung by professional mourners. This lament is hard to hear for Amos is mourning the death of his listeners themselves! By uttering this dirge to them, Amos is effectively telling the people that their nation is doomed to fall and rise no more. Israel’s future has in store for it overwhelming pain and defeat. As they will be left shattered at the hands of the Assyrians. Just as Israel was lost so too were we. Our futures were destined for pain and defeat as sin, death, and the devil waited to drag us away. But into this chaos and calamity came Christ Jesus. He lamented for us but also did what had to be done to save us. He took our sins, which separated us from the Father, and died with them on the cross of Calvary. So that instead of weeping and lamentations, there are shouts of thanksgiving and alleluias as the old evil foe is defeated. We can rejoice with the angels and archangels and all the host of heaven as our Lord Jesus Christ has won the victory over sin, death, and the devil, and through Him we are restored to the Father.
Amos 5:1–3
+
Lamentation
To lament is to mourn in a deeply personal way. Such songs of mourning are especially associated with death and in the days of Amos were often sung by professional mourners. This lament is hard to hear for Amos is mourning the death of his listeners themselves! By uttering this dirge to them, Amos is effectively telling the people that their nation is doomed to fall and rise no more. Israel’s future has in store for it overwhelming pain and defeat. As they will be left shattered at the hands of the Assyrians. Just as Israel was lost so too were we. Our futures were destined for pain and defeat as sin, death, and the devil waited to drag us away. But into this chaos and calamity came Christ Jesus. He lamented for us but also did what had to be done to save us. He took our sins, which separated us from the Father, and died with them on the cross of Calvary. So that instead of weeping and lamentations, there are shouts of thanksgiving and alleluias as the old evil foe is defeated. We can rejoice with the angels and archangels and all the host of heaven as our Lord Jesus Christ has won the victory over sin, death, and the devil, and through Him we are restored to the Father.
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2023
January
Responding to GodLamentationSeek GodThe Day of the LordA Matter of FaithThe Secure and the ComplacentThe Pride of the PeopleFrom Depths of WoeVisions of FireA Plumb LineAmaziahSummer FruitA Final VisionA Word of HopeA VisionHumiliationDisplacedStanding AloofHouse of FireRestorationHeeding God’s CallOverboardInside the Great FishFor a Second TimeMessage ReceivedNot FairA Lesson on MercyWho Is Like the Lord?O Earth!Then and NowLament
February
Courtroom DramaEnemies of GodThe Lord GathersFalse ProphetsZionRestorationWise MenIn, But Not OfGod’s ReproachSurvey the CrossLook to the LordVindicationThe Lord’s DeliveranceA Merciful HymnBack AgainLord’s Wrath and CareDoom and DeliveranceThe Enemies of GodOur ConquerorWoe to the City of BloodshedNo Other God’sAre You Better?Prophecy FulfilledThe Prophet SawHow Long?God in the MidstJustice ServedThe God of History
March
Waiting for an AnswerA Dire SituationA Twisting of the TruthIn His Image and In His LikenessThe Lord’s NameThe Sin of ManFear, Love, and TrustThe Day of SalvationThe Word of the LordThe Lord’s JudgmentClear and to the PointBe SilentThe Day of WrathSeek the LordGardensRunning After Other GodsSwordsThe Kingdoms of this WorldWhere is Your Trust?The Lord’s RemnantThe Truth of His WordThe Human HeartA Song of VictoryRebuildingObedienceSurpassing GloryA Faithful ResponseLooking to the FutureReturn to the Lord!A Performative WordFour Horns