How relevant is Lamentations 4 to America, indeed, to our whole world today.
God shook Jerusalem.
And when He did, peoples’ idols were unearthed, as they faced the fact that their idols could not help them in crisis. Jeremiah writes:
gold has lost its luster
people have become heartless
princes are blacker than soot
nations cannot save us
I have been struck by the verse in Hebrews that tells us God will shake our worlds so that what cannot be shaken will be revealed. That’s what happens when real trouble comes. With Peter, we cry,
to whom can I go but to You, Lord?
Let us prepare our hearts with this.
I was shocked a few weeks ago when one of our new Supreme Court justices voted to support the LGBT+ agenda over protecting religious rights. Here I was sure he was an originalist who would protect religious rights, God’s view of marriage, and so much more. But no — shaking reveals where we have misplaced trust. On a more grave and personal note, losing Steve shook my world and pressed me into Jesus like never before.
Highlights from Last Week:
Julie said she has learned that lamenting is transformative — and it is. Here are some testimonies of God exchanging our weakness for His strength through the lament!
Shirley:
One time when God took up my cause. I would say this happened when I was giving care to my Mother in her last years. I wondered how I could sustain doing this when I had given up so much and there were many difficulties. But God was with me and provided the means, though I struggled. I was encouraged even when I felt helpless to protect her, as she needed so much and my strength was weak.
Diane:
Many years ago, my husband and I were taking steps toward going to Kenya for him to teach at a Bible seminary. Our children were yet quite small and there were a lot of unknowns in the mix and a fair amount of risk. I was filled with fears. One night he and I had a long, heated discussion about continuing on that path. I admitted my fears and my not ‘wanting’ to go. It seemed that confessing my fear was what God wanted me to do in order to still my fainting heart and reassure me that it was ‘alright’, that I could trust him. From that point, we continued to walk forward and did go to Kenya for three years. My fears and the risks had not changed, but I was able to put my hand into God’s hand and go step by step – not perfectly, but in faith. It was not an easy three years, but God walked with us and we have wonderful memories and met many wonderful children of God.
Bing:
When my heart says “It is hopeless” for my daughter, I am arguing back!
Sunday: Getting Started
- What stands out to you from the above and why?
- What idols of yours have been revealed to you by a crisis? By what is happening in the world?
Monday: Overview of Lamentations 4
3. Read Lamentations 4 to yourself out loud, and share anything that stands out to you and why.
4. Find the idols that are unearthed in Lamentations 4:
-
- 1-2
- 3
- 7-8
- 10
- 12
- 13
5. If even our religious leaders can become corrupt, how can we have discernment on whom to believe and whom not to believe?
Tuesday: Idols
5. Read the opening of Chapter 7 and share what stands out to you. In what ways can you identify?
6. In Dark Clouds, read Lament: Language of Exiles and share what stands out to you.
7. Read 1 Peter 2:9-12 and describe how an exile should live. How does this speak to you?
8. Read Lamentations 4: Unearthing Idols
A. What stands out to you and why?
B. What is an idol?
C. How can suffering reveal it?
Wednesday: Idols of Finances and People
We surely do not know what is ahead — but a recession or depression seems very likely. Men are often particularly shaken by this, but we as women, especially if we are single, can be too. Women are more likely to be shaken when people they trusted fail them. Yet we dare not “trust the sweetest frame…” The only one who will never move away, never betray us, and never die is Jesus.
While Lamentations surely can feel like a dark cloud, it is meant to lead us to the Rock who is higher than high.
9. Read Fixating on Financial Security and share what stands out to you.
10. How did the funeral of a friend’s child awaken the author? Have you had an experience
like this?
11. Read Treating People like Saviors and share what stands out to you.
12. Is there a person who tend to do this with — how could you speak to your soul about this?
If it is a spouse or close friend — how could you help each other find strength in God
instead of in one another?
13. Meditate on Lamentations 4:20. What is it telling us?
Thursday: Cultural Comfort and Spiritual Leaders
I finally saw “Hamilton” by renting the Disney Channel for a month. It was so intriguing, and I was thankful for sub-titles, as I’m not good with rap. It inspired me to listen to the book that inspired Lynne Manuel to write the musical. I learned so much! I always thought most of our country’s founders were Christians, but though they may have embraced many Christian principles, they were Deists. A Desist believes in an impersonal God and takes whatever principles he likes from religions (usually Christianity). John Adams was a Christian — but that was about it. Hamilton and Adams were the only ones not to have slaves. It was so interesting and helped me realize that though we are blessed with a wonderful country, it truly was not built on The Solid Rock. We have so much to be thankful for in America, but I do think it is because God has been merciful, and not that we are so great. It also feels as if God has removed His hand.
I also know how many people have put their pastor on a pedestal, only to face great disillusionment.
14. Comment on the above.
15. Read Cultural Comfort and comment. What area of our cultural downfall can you pray a
prayer of lament?
16. Read Idolizing Spiritual Leaders and comment.
17. Read Daniel 9:4-8. Comment.
Friday: Not Without Hope
18. Read Presuming Divine Favor and share your comments.
19. Read Lamentations 4:22
A. What hope is there for God’s people?
B. What stands out to you from the section: Not Without Hope
Saturday:
20. Take two of the discussion questions and answer them.
21. What is your take-a-way this week and why?
172 comments
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
My heart aches for you Dee every time I think of your loss of Steve. Hard to understand why that was His best, but then I watch you—and how you have allowed Him to shape you, use you as His vessel, the lives you minister to and how your greatest earthly loss has only made you shine more of Him. He has given you a “great heart” a beautiful humble servant’s heart. So thankful to know you Dee.
And Diane’s story really touched me last week—there was so much I related to in it, and I admire her honesty, humility, and submission. Love the evidence too of His blessing on it.
2. What idols of yours have been revealed to you by a crisis? By what is happening in the world?
My most recent crisis—a few years ago, the idol was very clear. My desire to look like a sweet Christian family no matter what was going on beneath the surface. Then the veneer was stripped off and I was left exposed, bare, and suddenly everyone had to know just how bad things had gotten with my daughter. I felt shame, humiliation, the deepest despair I’ve ever felt. But eventually, the light has broken through. It’s far from perfect, but I see Him in it. And rather than feeling shame and humiliation, I am humbled, which is good. It’s changed how I see others, it’s given me more compassion.
With the world crisis, I honestly have not felt fear or despair. I feel a solid assurance that He is more powerful, and He is good. But we have also been blessed to not have our jobs affected or our health.
Lizzy, thank you for sharing about your shaking. I rejoice with you over all the good that came out of it. God never takes us through things to harm us, but to refine us. And you have surely been refined!
Encouraging testimony, Lizzie. It’s so hard to be stripped bare and gawked at. But I’m learning, too, that the way up is down, and that so goes against everything in our being.
Miriam–yes! Thanks for the reminder–the way up is down! I do want to grow in humility, but it can be so painful! It’s good to remember that He does His best work in us when we are empty.
Love the reminder that the way up is down. Thanks for that.
So good Lizzy — humbled instead of humiliated. And a solid assurance that He is more powerful.
Lizzy, I know that feeling of looking good on the outside but being dirty within oh too well 😔. My world came “a tumbling down” when our second oldest decided to drop out of school; a teacher’s son no less! It was humiliating. Then I realized it wasn’t all about me and how painful school was for him. That was when I realized I had made idols of my kids and I couldn’t do anything more for them. It was all God at that point. How freeing that felt!
4. Find the idols that are unearthed in Lamentations 4:
1-2: wealth
3: comfort
7-8: people
10: children
12: assuming God’s favor, protection
13: spiritual leaders
5. If even our religious leaders can become corrupt, how can we have discernment on whom to believe and whom not to believe?
I think we have to be careful not to put spiritual leaders on a pedestal and instead be committed to praying for their faithfulness and protection, that they would stay rooted in the Word, dependent upon the Lord.
For discernment on whom to believe, I think we are called to pray for wisdom and be in the Word so we can be alert to what is false.
1. From the intro, what stood out? The first thing to hit me was “shaking reveals where we have misplaced trust”. Your shaking, Dee, pressed you “into Jesus like never before”. Shaking can be an opportunity to find out if what we’ve said is really what we believe. Dee, your shaking revealed that you knew Jesus, and where you needed to turn. Many years ago, I remember seeing something either on TV or in a movie where there were pictures on the wall with pious statements on them. The person’s voice over explained that in her family, the one that said ‘money is the root of all evil’ really meant ‘money is all’. And there were several like that. So when I say that my trust is not in my retirement fund, but in God, how I react when those funds are severely damaged shows whether that was true or not. Just another way of looking at what you’re saying here. We can find an idol under our shaking, or we can find that we really are standing on the Rock. My bet is that God makes sure we get shook up as often as needed to show us where we are, good or bad.
2. What idols of yours have been revealed by crisis?
I was pretty arrogant before children. But two colicky babies 16 months apart displayed very clearly that I not only didn’t have all the answers I thought I had, but that I was woefully inadequate as a mother. Just last night, in the midst of the book my husband and I are reading together, it said that a child’s self esteem and security is established by the time they are 3, and that they need during that time to be loved ‘irrationally’. The author didn’t define the term, but I know that I did not love my children like that. My own comfort, identity and sense of worth have been driving forces in my life. I am deeply ashamed of who I have been.
By what is happening in the world!
We are standing on a precipice, in the US, but ultimately in the world. That raises fear in me. And I have to ask myself what and who am I trusting? My father in law, born in 1914, used to say that while he had lived through the Great Depression and world wars, we as his children and grandchildren would go through worse. I see that, for what we face is not just financial or nation to nation unrest, but it is a redefining of every underpinning we’ve had in our lives. It is marriage, gender, sexuality, western stability, and more. If this isn’t the beginnings of the Tribulation, it can’t be far off. I think my fear is that I might turn out to be as inadequate a Christian as I’ve been as a mother.
So good, Mary, to always be asking “whom am I trusting?’
Mary B–as I read your honesty about parenting struggles, I thought that I really hope you are mentoring other women in your church! What you share here certainly ministers to many, but you have SO much to offer young moms. I wish I could have known someone like you when my kids were young, so just speak so humbly and honestly about the difficulties. But you also know that He is greater than our deepest weaknesses, and thankfully His grace is enough to cover our mistakes!
Mary, I look back on our raising of our kids and wonder what in the world I did to have them become who they are today. I guess I was/am blind to mistakes we made; I tried so hard to do the right thing in every situation. When the author of that book says to love irrationally, I know I did that! I have come to the conclusion that what we did was fine, but only one thing was lacking…Jesus. Although we always attended church, He was missing in our home. I am committed to raising the tods with Jesus actually in their lives. Lizzy is right… God covers us.
Yes, so grateful that God covers us! We do everything we can, or at least we try, but the final outcome is not totally up to us. When I was growing up, I seemed to know that. I never looked at a peer and blamed their parents. Not sure if I changed or if it was society, but it became all about the parents. I find solace in remembering that God is the perfect parent, raising children in a perfect environment, and Adam and Eve still went their own way.
Yes! Adam and Eve!! Makes me feel a little better. I’m thinking the counseling of today is not what it was when my mom was there in her career. I agree that it’s easiest to blame the parents so they do. I’ve had it happen to me with our youngest who has seen a counselor.
Yes – Adam & Eve we’re perfect in every way … until their choice to do it their way resulted in dysfunction. The original first family even had problems. That brings me some solace & comfort too.
Mary, your answer to #2 resonated with me. We only have one child and sometimes I ask the same questions that either Lizzy or Laura have asked themselves here or wished they would have done when their children were younger. BUT again, God is full of grace and mercy. Enough to “cover our mistakes as Lizzy said and a new commitment to do “better” for where we are at right now like Laura said about the grandchildren.
My daughter wrote in part in her FB post on her Dad’s birthday, that “we have gotten closer the last few years.” and that she is thankful for us, her parents. Although I have wished that she would have said her younger days were good, too, I know this is God’s grace at work. I am thankful for this more-than-a-glimmer of hope in our relationship with our daughter. Her words meant even more to me these days.
I understand what you are saying about relationship with a grown child. Our relationship with our son is fragile. His wife tells me he is seeing a counselor, and getting closer to talking to us about it. We cringe, wondering what he has to say, and hoping we will respond in a way that leads to healing. So glad I can climb up into Abba’s lap!!
Mary I appreciate you humility and honesty in waiting for your son to come and talk to you.
5. Read the opening of Chapter 7 and share what stands out to you. In what ways can you identify?
I liked Al Mohler’s perspective—to “winsomely convince Americans to share our moral convictions”. I also relate the feeling of being an exile, and the difficulty that entails.
6. In Dark Clouds, read Lament: Language of Exiles and share what stands out to you.
Learning to lament gives us a language to express our struggles and fears, and it helps to uncover our idols beneath the fears.
7. Read 1 Peter 2:9-12 and describe how an exile should live. How does this speak to you?
This is one of my favorite passages. I really love all of 1 Peter.
We are chosen, royalty, His own. We belong to the King. We have been covered in mercy.
We are called to abstain from earthly passions, anger, fighting. We are to be honorable in our actions, so that we may glorify God.
I love this passage too. And the song that goes with it — we sang it often in our Seattle church and our children loved it.
I’m not familiar with a song for this passage. Scripture songs are so wonderful!
Sunday
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? Dee, your statement that loosing Steve shook your world and pressed you into Jesus like never before, was my experience when we lost our son. I often look back at that time and think life was so great, a wonderful husband, a new home, good jobs and a perfect baby boy! My idols were pride, comfort and dependence on self…God was “just there!” I mean with all I had going for me, why did I really need Him? Quite honestly, where I was spiritually, I’m amazed that I even pressed into Jesus, but He was viewing the big picture for my life. I remember saying to God, “you’re got my attention,” show me Your purpose.
2. What idols of yours have been revealed to you by a crisis? By what is happening in the world?
I shared the idols revealed during the crisis of losing our son.
The idol that has been revealed through what’s happening in the world now is combativeness…I am angry with the things taking place and the wheel that is squeaking the loudest is getting the oil. I have replaced turning to God with turning to the news!!!
Yes, Sharon — I can only imagine how losing your son shook your world. Not how it was meant to be, but God uses it.
“What idols have been revealed to you?” Well, I’m ashamed that most of the ladies here speak of things that happened in the past and how they’ve learned since then. I seem to be stuck in the here and now with my idols being revealed. God has been revealing the utter depravity of my heart and calling all my prior thought of good motives into the light. How very painful to find out how wicked my own heart could be! I have been a single woman all my life while longing for a companion but knowing that God needed a single woman to care for many many children over the years who didn’t have proper care. Many of them didn’t turn out well but I had one golden child, a boy that was left with me by his mother at age 9. He lived with me for 20 years, recently getting his master’s degree and generally being the apple of my eye. He helped me a lot with my international adoption and around the house. Then he bought a house and found a girlfriend, all at the same time, and all changed. No longer does he seem to take tender care of me as his foster mom but all attention is lavished on the girlfriend. I’m in the middle of another adoption and have had so many personal losses in my life and I am feeling his leaving very badly. I feel like I deserve to be cared for after all I’ve done for him. His own mother chose her multiple boyfriends over him, while I didn’t take on any relationships in order to focus on the children God gave me to raise. My world has been rocked by his leaving. I have found so much ugliness coming up out of my heart which I never knew existed there when everything seemed to go well. I am finding the harsh reality that I have placed my happiness and identity in being the surrogate mother of an inner city child that I worked so hard to turn into what seems like a masterpiece, only to have him seeming to leave me in the dust. I know it is normal for a young man to leave and I counsel my heart frequently about it, but oh, the grief as my idol has been knocked from its pedestal. I’ve recently been thinking a lot of the verse, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise Him…” I heard that Tim Keller said (and maybe it was in this blog) that when we are disquieted and cast down it is because we are placing our hope in the wrong source! I never saw this in me before, but pray that God will humble me and lead me downward that He may ultimately bring me up a changed woman who hopes in God and not in idols of the heart, no matter how sweet and innocent they may seem. What a timely lesson for me here in this blog!
Oh Miriam. One of those moments when I so wish we were in person and I could sit with you and give you a long hug. This brought tears. I’m so sorry for your pain. Praying for you now dear sister.
Miriam, believe me when I say this, that you are not the only one who is stuck in the here and now with your idols being revealed. Speaking for myself, I see my idols every day and it is a process to keep relinquishing them, and often what comes out of my heart when faced with losing them isn’t pretty. What you did for your foster son was a beautiful thing and it sounds as if the two of you were very, very close. So it must hurt you deeply to be seemingly left behind as he focuses attention on his girlfriend. I am wondering….would he be receptive to the three of you getting together some times so that you could get to know her?
Miriam, I feel your pain in this post. It is sad to be “rejected” when so much of our lives are focused on raising the best kids. I know this is what I went through with my first born too. It is heart wrenching. I still have ugliness in my heart and idols to get rid of as well. All I can do is to press on in my life. I cling to this blog to help remind me that I am weak and He is my strength. Keep clinging to Him. I will pray for you. ♥️
Missy, dear sister. Being rejected, especially by somebody that you have invested your life and resources in, must be very painful. No words from me…but prayers for you as God leads.
Miriam — what a tender responsive heart you have.
Thinking more about your story, Miriam. I think it is especially hard when you have given and given to be rejected. I lament that with you. But yes, turning to God!
Miriam, idols are like rocks in a field – they keep working their way to the surface. I have lamented to the Lord in the past that once He removes all in me that is sinful, there won’t be anything left. I especially dislike in myself how I can do or say something with pure motives, and within seconds, I am twisting it within me to be about my glory. It is one of the reasons I love Jeremiah. He gets it – the heart is desperately wicked and beyond cure. But he also writes that God’s mercies are new every morning. So we have hope.
Miriam, I am with the others here in lamenting with you. I can identify with you to a certain extent. Trusting in others when we should be trusting in God brings painful loss, like our soul is being ripped out. Especially with our children, we mothers feel we deserve their gratitude after all we have given and given up for them. I perceive it in myself as trusting in works rather than giving grace. Praying for you.
Miriam, I agree with Mary, all of us are constantly turning up new idols. Also I just want to say that every kind word, every tear wiped away, every meal served, every diaper changed, every hug given, every bed made, these and countless other acts that you have invested in each child you have cared for, is a jewel, not only in the crown you receive on the Lord’s day, but also a treasure given to each child. It may be that brokenness keeps them from appearing successful, or even able to thrive, but not one act of kindness has gone unseen by the Lord. You have cared for the least of these, which is the very heart of God. Your honor and reward is not reflected in what these littles do in their adult lives but in the love you have lavished on them from the heart of God. May God greatly bless you even as He shakes you, that you would see the true beauty never was in what others did with your ministry to them, but in your life sacrificed on the altar for Him and His kingdom. I thank you Miriam, truly I do, for allowing God to use your life to ministry to the ones who could not defend themselves against the harsh realities and abuses of this life.
Miriam – I hear you. Thank you for sharing your suffering, your questions, your idols. I will pray with you (and for me and so many of us here) that “God will humble me and lead me downward that He may ultimately bring me up a changed woman who hopes in God and not in idols of the heart, no matter how sweet and innocent they may seem. What a timely lesson for me here in this blog!” What a timely lesson indeed.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I love the line, “…so that what cannot be shaken will be revealed.” He cannot he shaken.
2. What idols of yours have been revealed to you by a crisis? By what is happening in the world?
I have learned that I made my kids an idol as we raised them. The crisis was struggling through the teenage years. SO painful.
I suppose the idol of relying on politicians to know what we need to survive is the crisis of today; Of not making God number one in my life and relying on Him more than earthly ways. The idol would be comfort/security.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I can relate to Jeremiah writing that in a crisis our idols can’t do much to help us, or even comfort us. In the most dismal times of my own life, food loses its appeal, material possessions seem trivial, I have felt all alone even when surrounded by people, and entertainment fails to entertain or even distract.
2. What idols of yours have been revealed to you by a crisis? By what is happening in the world?
Not really a “crisis”, but updating our home over the last several months, starting in January, has showed me just how much I like things to be perfect in my house and how upset I get when they’re not, and also my idol of control. I had lots of clashes with my husband over the timing of things and how things were to be done. When things are in order, then I feel comfortable and secure. Having the house torn up during new flooring installation and sections plastic-ed off was a humbling experience in patience. I think my dependency upon other people has been revealed more by the social isolation that is now the new normal. We have been fortunate not to have our jobs or income affected by the pandemic, nor our health. It’s just this whole “social distancing” that bothers me. I wish we could call it “physical distancing”. Now it’s polite and good manners to stay away from other people. It makes me sad not to be able to see someone’s smile because of the mask. I know we must do it to protect ourselves and others, but the world just feels strange and different now. It revealed to me just how much I depended on my daughter to keep my spirits up during the months of March and April, and into May, when we mostly didn’t go out, except for walks or to the store for groceries. I depended on her companionship.
You express so well the change in our Covid world, and all we have lost. Be with us, O Lord, and transform our minds.
Sunday: Getting Started
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
The title, “unearthing idols” stood out to me. I have been so shaken (in a good way) by your book, Idol Lies, Dee. It is probably the first book that made me really face my real self. And the other good thing about it is that I have never been the same again, still a sinner, but no longer enslaved by idols. Yes, I still struggle with them at times, but they no longer have the hold they once had on me. Thanks be to God and to the ministry of your writing.
2. What idols of yours have been revealed to you by a crisis?
At different times of crisis, God has revealed my idol of relationships and of approval. People I love have failed me or people have hurt the people I love and my world came crashing down. I struggled with bitterness and anger in my heart, BUT God was gracious to bring me freedom from them while He continued to refine me.
3. By what is happening in the world?
The idols of comfort and of control have periodically reared their ugly heads since COVID came into the scene of our country and of the world. I do not like what it is doing to my loved ones, to people directly under my care (students and patients). I just want it to stop and we can go back to normal again, whatever normal would look like. BUT God has a wide focus lens. I have just been thinking of the poem, “The Master Weaver’s Plan”. One paragraph says:
“For He can view the patternUpon the upper sideWhile I can see it onlyOn this, the underside.”
Or even the video that Nila shared of The Potter by David Blakeslee. God knows what He is doing and what He is allowing in our lives.
https://ourdailybreadfilms.org/film/the-potter-reflections-of-a-master-artisan/episode/the-potter-reflections-of-a-master-artisan-part-1/
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I agree with Lizzy and Mary B. Just thinking of you Dee and how my heart aches for you as well, for I am sure you’re grieving still..like the aftershocks of the earthquake. Your posture of humility and your teachable heart -willing to let Him take your scales off has always encouraged me and especially so in my darkest valleys. Your books Idol Lies and The God of all Comfort were huge for me.
2. What idols of yours have been revealed to you by a crisis? By what is happening in the world?
Personal: My idols have been revealed by my most recent crisis, but as God strips me and shakes my world I have pressed into Him like never before. I think what is happening isn’t that He just crushes my idol and fixes me, but that He makes my heart more tender for Him than the idol YET..(I added this) there are days my idol is bigger-ugh! but eventually, as He has done in the past, the idol becomes less and less and He becomes more but not without pain. I am so disgusted with my tendency to bend away from God. Like my approval idol..yes it is still there for my heart is an idol making factory, but it has decreased over time. When God shakes me it’s like how pop consumes ice when you pour it in, it gets all over it, in the cracks and the ice begins to melt. That is how God is with me..He consumes my rocks and over time the shaking melts my idols as He consumes me more.
The world: God has helped me to broaden my view outside of the U.S. and has helped me with how to pray for our country and for the world for oh there is so much evil and so much desperation and pain but He is in control and sovereign and someday will make all of it right.
Continuing to pray for you, dear Rebecca.
I see the mighty working of God in you, Rebecca. Thank you for your honesty. I agree that pain and suffering is a part of our maturing in Christ. I see your growth and am blessed by your heart’s desire for God.
“And the ice begins to melt…” love that picture, Rebecca!
What stands out to me is God shook Jerusalem. How relevant this is to our world that is being shaken.
Our idols are exposed, laid bare… my idol of comfort is definitely exposed. The things I took for granted: travel, church gatherings, meeting in
one another’s homes, even going to the hairdresser, have all been altered.
Yes, Dee, your loss of Steve, so difficult, is one I relate to, as my Mother lost her husband and it changed her life. She drew close to God and her faith impacted me.
On Sunday, #1-2. what stood out : From the Getty’s singing through all the testimonies given, God was exalted as the most valuable. The crisis brought out the truth. God is our anchor.
#3. What stands out to me in Lamentations 4: Jeremiah first hand account of the unearthing of the idols of God’s people. Although Jeremiah identified those idols and warned the God’s people, they would not listen. Jeremiah suffered along side the people of God when, because of the Lord’s fury, the idols were made known. Despite Jeremiah’s warnings, the people clung to what they valued most.
#4. Unearthed idols: Jeremiah 4
1-2 The temple, religion, and riches. Gold, precious stones of the sanctuary were no longer have value
3. Our own selfish desires. People’s selfish hearts revealed
7-8 The body beautiful. The people’s adoration of physical appearance was unearthed when the body was disfigured.
10. The emotions, psyche. Supposed “compassion” based on selfishness was exposed when the people could no longer use it to display their goodness. It ended with hunger.
12.-13 Government , the city with it’s buildings, Jerusalem’s leaders that were admired by all the world’s leaders were no longer a refuge, no longer admired. The gates were easily accessible by the enemy. The corruption of the prophets and priests who “shed the blood of the righteous” was exposed.
I lament with Jesus Who said, “O, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, (America, America) the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were no willing!” Mtt 23:37
I lament for myself and for my country.
#5 We are to believe God and His Word, the Bible. Have faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. Trust His Holy Spirit Who leads us. Ps 20:7 comes to mind. “Some trust in chariots and some trust in some in horses but we trust in the Name of the Lord our God”
Laura’s honesty on #2 helped me see the current idol revealed in me by what’s happening in the world, the idol of comfort/security. I haven’t felt fear about COVID so much, but I’ve felt some frustration at little things–my house is not near as clean with my husband and 2 boys at home all the time! Also, right before COVID we got our first indoor dog that I adore, but the hair, the mess…It’s like an x-ray machine has been placed over my heart- revealing my idol of having a tidy home and having my own “space”. I know these are tiny things, but the response in me to them, not!
Lizzy– I can relate. Always think about that proverb about having no oxen means a clean manger, but oh the strength of an ox. 🙂
Lizzy, I hear you about the frustration with the house! It’s hard to keep things clean with everyone at home, isn’t it? You have a dog, we have two cats. Lots of vacuuming! That’s a good metaphor of an x-ray machine over the heart, too.
3. Read Lamentations 4 to yourself out loud, and share anything that stands out to you and why.
I suppose the rawness of the entire passage is disturbing to me. “…Mothers eating their children…” was particularly rough to read (NLT). Is that really what happened?! The ESV says they “boiled their children.” Not sure about this verse.
4. Find the idols that are unearthed in Lamentations 4:
1-2 gold
3 self consumed?
7-8 comfort in leaders?
10 self absorbed
12 arrogance/pride
13 arrogance/pride
5. If even our religious leaders can become corrupt, how can we have discernment on whom to believe and whom not to believe?
This is tough. Individuals may have God in their hearts but they might ignore Him when trying to legislate. Those who begin meetings with prayer would be a start, I would think, but we aren’t privy to every meeting in Washington. Then you have the big political “machines” that individuals have to answer to because of money. I would not believe those who think abortion is okay, even up to the third trimester. I cannot vote for that; it is probably my number one issue. I am also fearful that Joe Biden is being “played.” I don’t think he is mentally all there, and I have a very good friend whose mother was played by her siblings and changed her will and everything because they told her to do it. I think he might be being led to do and say things he doesn’t really believe (if you compare his prior years as a believer in police, no abortion, etc.). I feel sorry for him. I don’t trust the people of the Democratic Party. Those who believe in Socialism/Communism may think it’s a good thing on the surface, but look into the leaders of the countries who have endured that type of leadership and you will find many common people were murdered because they disagreed. You don’t have to look very far from us to see it in action today; just look at Venezuela. They began their shift to socialism/Communism in the nineties. Now people have no food or supplies. Remember what it felt like to not be able to find toilet paper last spring? It would be that way with everything.
Again, we aren’t in the “know” to know how these individuals really feel about God. Do they go to church? Do they do bible study each day? How do they stay in their party that agrees with abortion, but (that) is against God, and feel okay about it?
I am a teacher. I refuse to join the teachers union because I can’t be part of a group that gives money to organizations I don’t believe in (or don’t follow biblical principles) like Planned Parenthood, gays rights groups, and such (Planned Parenthood was formed by Margaret Sanger, a woman who wanted the PPO in black neighborhoods so that blacks would not have babies! Just awful. She was a Socialist, along with Woodrow Wilson). I trust God will take care of me in the classroom. I’m not trying to sound like I’m better than others; we all have to do what we think is right. I just can’t go against God in my heart. If I joined the union knowing what they were doing, what kind of Christian would I be then? I guess those leaders who stand firm in their beliefs (even when it is hard) are the ones we can trust. But then, who will step out in faith? How do we know they believe in Godly ways? They certainly don’t announce it. And then, if they do are they shunned? I would probably vote for the person who does it. I would know they were authentic then. No one will do it. I am confident of that.
Also, I agree with you Dee, how could the Supreme Court uphold gay rights but ignore religious rights? I think our Constitution is being ignored and no one is doing anything about it. I don’t have an answer to your question. I think we all have to actually study the issues and look to the group we can align ourselves with more than not. We can try to change our local governments to be better for our communities also. It is uncomfortable and hard. It means we step out of our comfort zones. It is all we can do.
Laura, I, too, am really frustrated with the political situation. It is hard to see what looks like willful blindness, but worse to know that is what they think I am doing. The current news about the USPS, for instance. My husband works there. I have offered to some to tell them the truth of that situation, but they haven’t taken me up on it.
I would love to know your perspective about the post office!
The postal service has been losing money for years, mostly as a result of decreased mail volumes. How many of us routinely write letters, send cards, do our business by mail? Then, they were forced to prepay all retirement accounts. Millions of dollars they didn’t have. So they are doing what any prudent business does, which is to look for ways to stem the bleed. That means taking out machines that are outdated and unused. Drop boxes rarely used in areas with other boxes nearby are removed. Not recently, but about five years ago, they consolidated processing centers. Your mail takes longer to move because it may be shipped to another city for sorting and then shipped back for delivery. There is nothing happening now that has anything to do with the election, no current changes. Statements made differently are pure fabrication. My husband is glad to be retiring because over the last five years, they have reduced the workforce by attrition. And still the union advocates for non cooperation with management. It is very sad.
3. Read Lamentations 4 to yourself out loud, and share anything that stands out to you and why.
“The chastisement of the daughter of my people has been greater than the punishment of Sodom” (v. 6) Pondering what it might have been like to be in a city under siege is almost inconceivable to me. To be in a walled city surrounded by soldiers with no access to food or perhaps water – starving, with people dying all around me, children begging for food in vain because there is no food. This was the situation in Jerusalem; a slow cruel death followed by surrender then being marched off to leave in a foreign land. It is inevitable to ask the question, “How could a loving God allow this?”
4. Find the idols that are unearthed in Lamentations 4:
◦ 1-2 trusting in gold, holy stones (symbolizing the temple and also the nation of Israel), sons of Zion
◦ 3 food
◦ 7-8 physical beauty
◦ 10 starvation causes cannibalism
◦ 12 dependent on God’s unconditional protection
◦ 13 dependent on prophets and priests
5. If even our religious leaders can become corrupt, how can we have discernment on whom to believe and whom not to believe?
We use the Bible as our guide, guided by prayer and the Holy Spirit. This is why it is so important to study the Word. I am just reading “Women of the Word” by Jen Wilkin. I highly recommend it as a tool to how to do correct Bible Study. Here is one quote from her: “As temples of the Holy Spirit, you and I are called to become participants in the process of creating and maintaining an orderly, beautiful place within our hearts where the Lord may dwell. One of the most important ways we do this is through Bible study.” (p. 100)
Diane, my church is launching our third study using this book. Our first was going through the book and talking about it. Last fall we did Ephesians. Spring was to be Titus, but we will start that in two weeks now. It is challenging, to say the least! Very different than we are used to.
oh I agree–I also loved Jen Wilkin’s study on 1 Peter, and James, and also the books on God’s attributes are really good, None Like Him and In His Image. Great quote Diane–good reminder, convicting!
Lizzy, I, too, love Jen W None Like Him.
Mary B, I am considering leading a study on Jen W’s book, but I am wondering about doing it via Zoom. I am more than a little hesitant, not being overly familiar with Zoom and also not sure other “older” women will be comfortable with it. Did you all read through “Women of the Word” a chapter at a time and discuss?
Are you doing “in person” small group study in Titus?
I would appreciate others praying with me in how to approach a women’s study group this Fall. I am hoping that the study might be an inter-church group since my husband has retired from one church and is currently pastoring PT at another. All kinds of possibilities and risks make the way forward unclear.
Zoom works good. I’ve heard there are some other options out there, but I’m not familiar with them. Zoom limits you to 40 min when you have a group of more than three. Once you pay the fee, I don’t think there’s a limit for time. Our small group meets by Zoom every other week, for just 40 minutes. We are all older, and as long as you have a computer, tablet or smartphone, you can access it. You need to download the free app. We have one couple who have none of those. For them, we call them on our phone, put it on speaker and place it next to the computer speaker. That is working for us. If someone is constantly moving their device, it causes a lot of background noise, so the one person who does that, we mute unless she is wanting to say something.
Yes, we read the book a chapter at a time and discussed it. We will be in person this fall. We know not everyone will do that, but we’ll see how it goes. Because the child care workers are not willing, we are not offering any child care. The evening one has been shifted a little later for dads to care for kids, or to use sitters. The day one will most likely be mostly older women.
Praying for you, Diane, that God would steer you as you move forward.
I loved Jen W’s study on Joshua and am still deciding if I’ll join our church in a couple of weeks for her study on the Sermon on the Mount through Zoom or through in-person, small groups (5-6 women). I’m in another Precept study which will start in a few weeks on Colossians and that will be through Zoom as well. (So far, I’m not a fan of Zoom – it’s incredibly frustrating to me. But I’m not quite comfortable for in-person study yet either due to my husband’s compromised immune system.) So, Diane, I’ll pray for God’s clear guidance in how you approach your women’s study group this Fall.
Thanks, Mary and Karmen, for your input and suggestions about doing a women’s group via Zoom. This is all new to me, so I am open to suggestions.
Praying for you, Diane. Zoom takes a little learning but it is not very hard to navigate.
Diane and the other ladies talking about Jen Wilkin and Zoom. (Smile). I did a bible study on Philippians with 6 other women (plus two who opted to do it on their own using the guide I found online from IVCF). We used Zoom and they liked it. Actually, the bible study was an offshoot of a prayer meeting I started with 4 other ladies of our church the week after school closed on March 13. They are hungry for the Word of God especially at this time of isolation. When we got finished with the study, they asked if we could continue and I picked Jen W study on James!
I love her “Women of the Word” book and was really helped by the process by which she broke down how to study the Bible. I am re-reading it as I get ready to lead the study in October. We are going to do it through Zoom again. By the way things are going, we might be in it till January. I love how she emphasized that not only are we to love the Lord with all of our hearts and souls but also with our minds.
And Diane, I have one 84-year-old godly woman in my group using Zoom! We are a very laid back group and have learned our way around Zoom together. I will pray for you. I am not the most tech-savvy but the Lord has helped me navigate this technology. And you have to have a Zoom Pro account to do more than the free 40-minute time limit. I forgot how much it cost but it wasn’t too much.
Monday
3. Read Lamentations 4 to yourself out loud, and share anything that stands out to you and why.
This chapter is heartbreaking…Jeremiah describes so vividly what his people are going though and why. To see how the sons of Zion went to being valued as gold to being regarded as clay pots…a generation of the best and finest taken to Babylon. What amazes me about this is knowing the story of Daniel and how the bigger picture of God’s purpose is seen. This causes me to stop and remember that God is in control of all that’s going on in our country and the world. Regardless of who is in office our great God sees all and knows all…His mercies were definitely new for me this morning as I went to bed so discouraged and hung up on what I have no control over!
4. Find the idols that are unearthed in Lamentations 4.
1-2 Materialism and education
3 Selfishness
7-8 Health and beauty
10 Self survival
12 Pride
13 Spiritual leaders
5. If even our religious leaders can become corrupt, how can we have discernment on whom to believe and whom not to believe?
This is where it is so important to study, apply and know the Word of God…hide it in our hearts. I also think praying for discernment is important. We had a speaker at our church that made the whole sermon about himself, he was glorifying himself not God…that was a red flag of discernment that God had given me.
3. Lamentations 4, out loud. What stood out?
Verses 1-2, what had been esteemed and valued is now discarded. Verse 5, the privileged ones are now destitute. Verse 17, where they looked for help didn’t show up. Verse 20, a foreshadowing of Jesus? And a direct contradiction to those who think human history keeps improving.
In all of this, I see the emphasis on how we perceive our world, and that unless we choose to change it to match what God says, it is just ashes waiting to happen.
4. Idols unearthed. I had trouble seeing with clarity in verses 3 and 10. Interesting that even here, it isn’t a slam dunk. 1-2: money and wealth
3: ? The goodness of people?
7-8: famous and influential people
10: ?family and motherhood?
12: national pride
14: religious pride
5. How can we have discernment on whom to believe and whom not to believe?
Lately I’ve gained compassion and a better understanding of how people in the OT could be led astray. I used to think they were just willful in turning away from God, and maybe deep down that is true. But they didn’t have the Bible as we do, and they had false prophets claiming to be speaking for God, saying the exact opposite of the true prophets. It is like looking at the news and media of today. Who is really telling the truth? We need to do the best we can to compare their values to Biblical values, just like Laura said in her post today. We also need to have a bigger view than just personalities. Too often, as Christians, we look at a character flaw and conclude that God couldn’t possibly use that person. Well, He used a lot of flawed people throughout history. We think if we can’t get the entire package in every detail to our liking, we won’t support it. This is where the liberals have it all over us. They’ve been willing to take their victories in little chunks, whittling away at us. We very much to be praying for discernment, and for enlightenment.
Good points Mary, about character flaws! I didn’t think of that.
What stands out to you from the above and why? The idea that crisis reveals where we have been finding our security, hope, and joy.
What idols of yours have been revealed to you by a crisis? By what is happening in the world? Certainty is one for sure. I had the illusion of certainty, of plans and schedules, and without those in my life I feel like a bit hopeless. I fix my excitement and hope on plans I look forward too.
3. Read Lamentations 4 to yourself out loud, and share anything that stands out to you and why. What stands out to me is the utter grotesqueness of what they were doing and what was happening. Its sort of easy to read over it and blow it off, but if there was video of the things that were happening it would be extremely difficult to watch.
4. Find the idols that are unearthed in Lamentations 4:
·
o 1-2 Money and possessions and holy relics.
o 3 Motherhood, maternal instinct
o 7-8 Health
o 10 Compassion, food?
o 12The city’s security.
o 13The religious authority.
5. If even our religious leaders can become corrupt, how can we have discernment on whom to believe and whom not to believe? The Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and a community of believers that we are doing life with. They all work in concert to sharpen our ability to discern truth in a chaotic sea of changing cultural tides.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
The song, In Christ Alone. Nearly every line speaks to me and reminds me of truth to stand in and on until He takes me home or comes again.
In Christ Alone
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength my song
This corner stone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled and strivings cease
My comforter, My all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save
’till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground, his body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave he rose again
And as he stands for victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am his and he is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No Guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
can ever pluck me from his hand
’till he returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
2. What idols of yours have been revealed to you by a crisis?
My crisis revealed that my family, especially my daughters, were my idol. Though the crisis is past, I still struggle with the broken relationships with my now adult daughters. We still gather for holidays, birthdays, & celebrations – for which I am grateful and thankful. But the brokenness is more in terms of the depth of our relationships – or lack thereof. I had always prayed that the toxic relational style/cycle (perhaps even emotional abuse) between my mother with her mom, and my mother with me would not be repeated between me and my daughters. And thankfully, the Lord did answer that prayer. While my daughters and I don’t fight and argue (like what I saw & experienced in my growing up years), sometimes it seems like my daughters and I are at the other end of the pendulum. We can talk but it’s usually talking about “safe” topics (like football or food or traveling somewhere [pre-Covid]). These are good things to talk about and we can laugh together or commiserate together but I wish that we could also talk about important things, the things that really matter in life, the eternal things. As I write this though, I realize it’s really only with one daughter that we can’t talk about the eternal things. I need to remember that just as we realized that each child was different at birth – and how can you have 3 children that are completely different in their own ways?!? – they each are very different even today.
By what is happening in the world?
I am grieved by the state of our country right now – it’s not the first time and won’t be the last. I know we are living in the Last Days, that God IS in control, He is sovereign, and He is good. He is not surprised by what’s happening all over the world. But from this Mamma Bear’s heart, I don’t want my kids and grandkids growing up in this chaos. And yet, perhaps it is this chaos that brings them to our Lord. I have to keep praying: not my will Lord, but Thy will be done.
Oh Lord, please hear Karmen’s prayer and deepen her relationship with her daughters, grandkids, and give them a hunger for You!
Karmen, I am keeping you in my prayers.
3. Read Lamentations 4 to yourself out loud, and share anything that stands out to you and why.
vs 6: “the evil guilt of my dear people was worse than the sin of Sodom” – I hadn’t ever really considered this comparison that the Israelite’s evil guilt here is worse than the sin of Sodom; how could anything/anyone be worse than the story of Sodom?!? But here, Jerusalem’s story IS worse.
4. Find the idols that are unearthed in Lamentations 4:
1-2: gold, priceless jewels (sacred stones), and precious sons (people) of Zion
3: babies and children
7-8: physique/physical body
10: hunger/food
12: kings & rulers
13: religious leaders
5. If even our religious leaders can become corrupt, how can we have discernment on whom to believe and whom not to believe? We learn from the past and we ALWAYS, ONLY look to God ALONE – just like the song on Sunday, In Christ Alone.
Sunday: Getting Started
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? – The collapse shot, that was powerful to me. I feel that is exactly where the world is today, in collapse. “And when He did, peoples’ idols were unearthed, as they faced the fact that their idols could not help them in crisis. Jeremiah writes: gold has lost its luster; people have become heartless; princes are blacker than soot; nations cannot save us” WOW this is all of us right now. My heart aches for the anger and hatred in this country along with those that have hatred toward the United States. I feel that we have reached out to people from the time I starting understanding what our country does for other countries, and yet, there is hatred toward us. There is hatred among brothers and sister of both families and children of God. I am certainly not perfect and I certainly am not pointing fingers at anyone. I struggle to see the good in some things happening. I’m struggling to see where I can make a difference. So many of us have turned to things, to people for help, to trust in and they all have failed us. We need to, I need to if anything, turn myself back to the cross where the love first started. I need to seek the Only One that I can trust and rely on. Others will just hurt me and not always intentionally, but they just can’t lift us up to where we should be. My trust needs to be n the One that has the control, the one that has placed the world where it is. He is in control and I need to remember that.
2. What idols of yours have been revealed to you by a crisis? By what is happening in the world? – I think the biggest thing for me, the one idol, if it truly is an idol, but I guess anything I feel strongly about that doesn’t line up with God’s Word can become an idol, is defending myself on how or what I think. Especially with all this senseless killing and looting of innocent people and companies, to me is just wrong. But I’ve been told as a Christian, as a white Christian I need to find a way to help those in need. I feel that I am helpful to those in need, but I will say I am not going to go in to a war zone and try and help those that are destroying what God has created. I sometimes feel so torn on what is right anymore. Our government tries to please everyone, but in doing so, someone gets hurts. We don’t all agree on matters in the same way, and to me that is ok, but to please some, feels like rights of others are removed. God has been removed from so many things, that I feel like he is just standing by waiting to be invited back in to the hearts who think the know best. Lord, help me to not be one of those people. Help me to always seek you and listen to what you want me to do, to go where you want me to go and help those you want me to help. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Monday: Overview of Lamentations 4
3. Read Lamentations 4 to yourself out loud, and share anything that stands out to you and why. – I sense that this is telling us to watch out, to be careful with how we act. God won’t stand for it no matter who you are. If we decide to lift ourselves up and not God, he will destroy our very being and all those we love. He will make it so miserable for us where I think he would hope we would turn our ways back to him.
4. Find the idols that are unearthed in Lamentations 4:
1-2 – Status in society, their richly possessions
3 – Selfishness, no sympathy or empathy for others
7-8 – Their hierarchy, those they put in authority
10 – their own well being over others
12 – Their arrogance, thinking they new best and nothing could harm them
13 – Their sinful nature among each other
5. If even our religious leaders can become corrupt, how can we have discernment on whom to believe and whom not to believe? – Because of all the media lies, I feel that we need to daily ask God for wisdom to know what is right and for discernment that our guard will be alerted to those who are falsely speaking or discernment for those who are acting ungodly underneath the surface, the ones who speak one thing but mean a totally different thing.
Monday: Overview of Lamentations 4
1. Read Lamentations 4 to yourself out loud, and share anything that stands out to you and why?
.how grievous those days were for the people of Israel.
4. Find the idols that are unearthed in Lamentations 4:
·
o 1-2 money; financial security
o 3 self ; pride (?)
o 7-8 power
o 10 children
o 12 government, systems, authority
o 13 religious leaders
2. If even our religious leaders can become corrupt, how can we have discernment on whom to believe and whom not to believe?
a. I can ask me, does the issue at hand this particular leader or person is promoting align with the Word of God? So this means that I need to study the Word of God diligently to be able to be discerning.
b. I can pray for discernment and wisdom (James 1:5)
c. I can ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth about a particular ideology or issue.
d. To be humble before the Lord and ask for His mind to clarify my thinking
I believe that COVID has actually led me to be even more serious about studying God’s Word. I can get dependent on others to do the studying for me and come out of a study group with fuzzy feelings but with my heart and soul not having been truly engaged with the God of the Word.
“I believe that COVID has actually led me to be even more serious about studying God’s Word. I can get dependent on others to do the studying for me and come out of a study group with fuzzy feelings but with my heart and soul not having been truly engaged with the God of the Word.” Oh, I do feel the same way. I feel it is laziness for me. Letting others spoon feed me instead of engaging/studying the Bible to let God speak to me for Himself. But I’m so grateful for this Bible study we all do together as it is so very encouraging and I learn so much from all of the ladies here!
Tuesday
5. Read the opening of Chapter 7 and share what stands out to you. In what ways can you identify?
I know this world is not my home, but have never considered myself an exile…reading that was an eye opener. I don’t want to be an exile because being called a bigot or close minded isn’t easy to hear, especially from your own family and even those you’ve gone to church with. I’ve heard too many younger believers and some older that have fallen into defending or justifying the sin of same sex marriage but be totally against adultery! Mohler is right, “how to winsomely convince America (and sadly even some believers) to share our moral convictions…will not be easy.”
6. In Dark Clouds, read Lament: Language of Exiles and share what stands out to you.
“Lament is the language that calls us, as exiles, to uncurl our fingers from our objects of trust.” WOW! No more needs to be said.
7. Read 1 Peter 2:9-12 and describe how an exile should live. How does this speak to you?
I am a royal priest, I belong to a holy nation, God’s own possession. As a temporary resident and a foreigner, I need to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against my soul. How important it is for me to walk the talk and intentionally be a light that shines truth so others will see Christ in me.
Sharon — I really think the LGBT agenda, which has been so successful, is the apologetic challenge of our time. I loved how in this book the pastor lamented with the one in same-sex attraction.
Tuesday
8. Read Lamentations 4: Unearthing Idols
A. What stands out to you and why?
The beaker illustration helps so much in seeing how “hardship reveals idols.” Just a bump/hardship of the beaker/life stirs up the sediment/idols. Beakers are fragile and with too much bumping and shaking they can break, but trusting God through the shaking and bumping puts us in His hands, where we know we will be handled with care.
B. What is an idol?
“An object of trust that takes the emotional and practical place of God.”
C. How can suffering reveal it?
It will show what we’ve placed our trust in, if we allow it to.
5. Read the opening of Chapter 7 and share what stands out to you. In what ways can you identify?
Oh wow! He says what I am feeling SO well! I really do think Christians are willing to “settle” so everyone feels included. The problem is that then Christianity is watered down. You don’t have skin in the game. It is difficult to be a Christian. It isn’t always fun and sometimes I would rather be more earthly. I remember what Karla Faye Tucker said (can you believe I learned something from a murderess???), something like, “Once I was a new Christian I knew we were talking about eternity and I that I had to tell the truth.” It is about eternity. As Christians we must learn to take the hard path sometimes. Eventually we will have to face Jesus. My heart, soul, and mind needs to be ready. It needs to be clean. The pastor says we (as a country) have allowed weed into the mainstream, as well as disregarding marriage. Is it really beneficial to others to lie to them that being drugged or involved in a same sex marriage is okay with God? Yes God made all of us, so we all count. He left a bit of Himself within us too. Some recognize that and pursue their faith. Others are blinded by things of this world. Most of us are a bit of both. Right now I am struggling with an awful thing that I did in life. I am trying hard to make it right but it is not settled yet. I know I have hurt others. I am doing my best to get it all on the table so that when I face my Lord and Savior, I am clean. It is probably the hardest thing I have done in my life. It is not fun.
Laura–you speak such bold truth! “It is about eternity. As Christians we must learn to take the hard path sometimes. Eventually we will have to face Jesus.”
Tuesday: Idols
5. Read the opening of Chapter 7 and share what stands out to you. In what ways can you identify? – I loved Al Mohler’s blog post. How spot on that is even today. I mentioned this yesterday I believe, that so many people don’t want to hurt the feelings of ‘some’ but in reality they are hurting ‘others’ by allowing the senseless killings of innocent babies with late term abortions and getting rid of traditional marriage that God created. I just feel so sad for those that think this is ok.
6. In Dark Clouds, read Lament: Language of Exiles and share what stands out to you. – I’m wondering if Mark’s church, his pastor’s pray about what to teach the flock. Some of them were worried about teaching on Lamentations, but it appeared that God was in control and all was fine. It also brought out their hidden idols of possibly control, or a lack of trust that God would lead them in the direction He wanted them to go. I love the line “Lament is the language that calls us, as exiles, to uncurl our fingers from our objects of trust.” This gave me the image that when I open my closed hand, what imprint will be there. If I’m hanging on so tight to something other than God, the marks of my objects will surely be seen in my hand.
7. Read 1 Peter 2:9-12 and describe how an exile should live. How does this speak to you? – We have been called out of the darkness as his chosen people. And because of this we need to refrain from doing sinful things, saying sinful things. We need to be the light in this dark and broken world and by doing this we can pray that those who disagree with us thinking we are mightier than them, that they only see the good we are doing and God’s glory through us. My Bible says that they would see God’s glory on the day he visits us. Does that mean as he speaks through us or on the day he comes to take us home? I hope they see his goodness and glory before He comes back so they can have the eternal life we will have.
8. Read Lamentations 4: Unearthing Idols
A. What stands out to you and why? – Loved the analogy of the beaker. And when we suffer, our suffering bumps our beaker. WOW, we won’t always know what may get stirred up when our lives are on a smooth path, but once we are off on the beaten path where the road gets bumpy because of a trial we may be going through, or for some kind of suffering and pain we have to dealing with, that is when we will know for sure where are trust has been placed. We will know for sure who or even what we have been hanging on to because it will all come to the surface. This I can see would bring out some idols we thought were removed. Anger, pity, resentment. the list could go on. Oh boy!!!
B. What is an idol? – For me, anything that I put more trust in, or rely more in than God. Anything that I turn to first, instead of turning to the Only one that can help me. God.
C. How can suffering reveal it? – Our suffering will let our hidden idols leak out. We may lash out at someone; think we can handle our problem on our own; be angry; and worst case in my opinion is turn away from God.
What stands out to you from the above and why? When I was thinking about the shaking that occurs in crisis or even in long-term chronic trials, I thought about the children’s song, “The wise man built his house upon the rock…The foolish man built his house upon the sand.” I did not realize the truth of what we were singing as children then, not really… What am I building on? What am I anchored to? What am I investing in?
What idols of yours have been revealed to you by a crisis? By what is happening in the world? Oh, I’m a security and comfort idol girl. I know this and have known this since I read Dee’s book, “Idol Lies,” where she narrows down idols into three categories. The trifecta of a critical election, soaring violent crime, and a pandemic has made me feel anything but secure and comfortable. The Lord is convicting me of where I run to.
3. Read Lamentations 4 to yourself out loud, and share anything that stands out to you and why. I noticed the word “How” cropped up again. More lament. Suffering is everywhere. I thought of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I also saw in Scripture something I have said in verse 9: “Happier were the victims of the sword…” in other words, there are worse things than death. I think about Revelation where it describes the tribulation and how its victims sought for death but would not die. How grim.
4. Find the idols that are unearthed in Lamentations 4:
1-2 – Riches; material goods
3 – Self
7-8 – Physical attraction; physical strength
10 – Abundance
12 – Their own security, arrogance, invincibility
13 – Self-righteousness; religiosity
5. If even our religious leaders can become corrupt, how can we have discernment on whom to believe and whom not to believe? Wow! I think there is a lot of folks wanting their ears tickled these days and there are those “spiritual leaders” who are more than willing to fit the bill. I surround myself, both in real life and virtually, with those who are solid in their discernment and their allegiance to the straight edge of the God’s word. There is so much deception in the “Church” that is not in line with Scripture or God’s truth. I rely on those who are apologists. I also examine the fruits of those in leadership.
5. Read the opening of Chapter 7 and share what stands out to you. In what ways can you identify? I can relate to what Vroegop immensely. I have felt like an exile for some time, and even more so this year. As a social worker, I’m in a profession that embraces “social justice” and I’m often a minority with my evangelical Christian worldview. Our hospital now has a gender-affirming clinic and principles of socialism are affirmed. Many of my fellow Christian social worker friends remain silent as we know we will be eaten alive. Our female medical director is married to a woman. The social work department sold Pride t-shirts expecting all of the social workers to buy and wear one on the same day. I was able to share my positions privately with the Director of Social Work in a calm, thoughtful way in direct correlation with my allegiance to Christ. I also shared that my son-in-law is a transgendered woman which has caused so much pain for my husband and myself. This is not the world we grew up in. And I also stated that she would never see me get on the bandwagon for Black Lives Matter. Not because I don’t believe that black or any life does not matter, but because it is a revolutionary Marxist movement based on my homework and on their website. Yes, I’m an exile. I’m an outlier.
6. In Dark Clouds, read Lament: Language of Exiles and share what stands out to you. I don’t think I ever realized how much credence or faith I put in being a citizen of the United States. Isn’t this a Christian nation where freedom of religion is embraced? Isn’t this from where missionaries are sent to preach the gospel to heathen nations? Isn’t this the land of milk and honey, where, as long as I lived here, I would feel safe and secure? Putting stock in that, I feel the sands shifting below my feet as this becomes a country I barely recognize. I have made my homeland an idol…a place where I find comfort and security. I love this country…but it is not my Savior.
Oh Denise! It pains me to read this…your workplace, your son in law, UGH. You are right…shifting sands. I pray for us with tears. Stand firm in your faith (all the sudden I feel like a disciple preaching to the Corinthians or one of those fledgling groups back in the day), God loves us.
Denise — such a trial for you with your son-in-law — what bravery you have shown at work — how articulate you are, as well.
Your sharing of your work situation touches my heart. I was once in a setting not so dissimilar. It is hard to stand up in the face of mockers. “Many of your fellow Christian social worker friends remain silent as we know we will be eaten alive.”
5. What stood out in the beginning of chapter 7? In what ways can you identify?
The diversity of response and attitudes in our current cultural climate. A lot of people are afraid for anyone to know what they think. Others are all to willing to shove their preferences down everyone’s throats. Once I actually hear what someone thinks, I am often surprised. I wish it were easier to discuss without anger.
We don’t know how, and don’t want to be exiles. I suppose that goes back to our common idol of comfort. We want to be comfortable, don’t want to rock the boat, we want people to like us. Yet from the start of God having a people, He has always said they needed to be different, called out. He says we are a ‘peculiar’ people.
6. Language of Exiles. What stood out? That lament helps us to see the world and ourselves through a different lens. How much we need to reframe everything this way! And then, that lament is a memorial to the futility of trusting anything but God. We are so easily distracted into thinking the way the world thinks.
3. What stands out to me in Lamentations 4 is Verse 13 But it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed within her the blood of the righteous. To me this is the saddest of situations, that those who should have been trusted did such evil to the people.
4. verse 1-2 The idols in verses 1-2 idol of financial security
verse 3 idol of relationship? not sure
verse 7-8 idol of beauty
verse 10 idol of food security
verse 12 idol of security
verse 13 idol of righteousness?
5. If even our religious leaders can become corrupt, how can we have discernment on whom to believe and whom not to believe?
It seems that we must know what God’s Word teaches so that we can recognize what is false. If we do not study and know the truth, it is very easy to be led astray. That is a problem now especially when it seems that many do not read the Bible regularly and many do not study it. The prosperity gospel is very prevalent and false teachers are often teaching on television and making claims that many fall for.
Monday:
4) Lamentations 4:1-2 – gold, gems, risk-averse or guaranteed investments.
4:3 – self-preservation.
4:7-8 – making a good outwardly appearance.
4:10 – self-preservation.
4:12 – border security.
4:13 – false religious power.
5) The concept of “church invisible” has been attributed to St. Augustine…church invisible is a theological concept of an “invisible” Christian Church of the elect who are known only to God, in contrast to the “visible church” – that is, the institutional body on earth which preaches the gospel and administers the sacraments. Every member of the invisible church is saved, while the visible church contains some individuals who are saved and others who are unsaved. According to this view, Bible passages such as Matthew 7:21-27, Matthew 13:24-30, and Matthew 24:29-51 speak about this distinction – wiki reference.
1 John 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are
from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
Lynne, thank you for reminding us about how we never really know what is going on in another’s heart. So important to be examining ourselves, as well as those we listen to and put into positions of leadership.
7. According to 1 Peter 2:9-12, how should exiles live? How does this speak to you?
Peter says to abstain from sinful desires, and to live above reproach so that others can see. While they may still sling mud now, there will come a day they will glorify God. I take that to mean that sometime in the future, they will be forced to admit you were living right. Exiles don’t blend into the back. They live in full view of those they are different from. We should always be pointing to our true allegiance, even when it gains us scorn. That is really, really hard for me.
8. Unearthing Idols. A. What stood out?
The illustration of being bumped was not new to me. What was new was the transparency of it. I’d been told to imagine we are all tall cups and can’t see into each other until we get bumped, and then what is really inside comes spilling out. And it is so true. I can go along thinking I’m a pretty good person, until I get bumped. Something upsets my plans, schedule, whatever, and I don’t react as a good person.
Next was the difference between sorrow and despair, and how despair breaks you and makes you feel life is not worth living. Is it that when God is our true treasure, we are able to hold everything else with an open hand? There is that picture of grasping as the opposite! If we lose what was in the open hand, we might be sad, but we still have our Treasure.
I really liked when Mark talked about how lament mourns the loss of idols, but it also mourns the misplaced trust. When we wake up, if you will, we see what we’ve missed out on. Like coming to the Lord later in life and realizing how much of our life we’ve wasted.
C. How can suffering reveal idols?
When something hurts too much, it is a signal to me. Like a red light on the dashboard. Pointing out to me that God isn’t my treasure here. Ultimately it is God revealing these layers. By leading us into lament, ‘He not only gives a platform for worship, but also a conduit for spiritual growth through repentance.’ When we respond correctly to God in this, our suffering can give us a leap forward in maturity.
“When something hurts too much it is a signal to me.” Hard, but true.
So much fodder for thought in what you wrote, Mary. I want to ponder it more, especially the line about if something hurts too much to be without it is a red flag for being an idol. Ouch! For sure I know this is true!
3. Read Lamentations 4 to yourself out loud, and share anything that stands out to you and why.
The whole thing is so bleak. Mothers eating their children….I cannot imagine. Wouldn’t a mother rather starve herself? People starving to death. And they “looked in vain for our allies to come and save us”. Don’t we do the same, look for a ‘savior’ in something or someone who can’t help us.
4. Find the idols that are unearthed in Lamentations 4
1-2 gold and jewels (trusting in money)
3 food (comfort from food)
7-8 good health, position and power (the fine princes)
10 self-preservation
12 pride, self-sufficiency
13 power
5. If even our religious leaders can become corrupt, how can we have discernment on whom to believe and whom not to believe?
We must be grounded in the truth ourselves, so that we can discern what is not right, not true, and not according to what God says is true.
6. In Dark Clouds, read Lament: Language of Exiles and share what stands out to you.
The pastor began an 8 week series on Lamentations. Lament helped uncover some hidden idols. Lamentations is not just mourning a suffering society. It also serves as a memorial to remember when our society is brought to its knees. It reminds us of how we should not put trust in anything but God.
7. Read 1 Peter 2:9-12 and describe how an exile should live. How does this speak to you?
Exiles are chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, God’s possession. They should show God’s goodness. They receive mercy from Him. Because of this, they need to keep away from worldly desires, and live properly among unbelievers so they may see your honorable behavior that honors God.
This gives a fairly high standard to meet. I know I fall short of it.
8. Read Lamentations 4: Unearthing Idols
A. What stands out to you and why?
I like the beaker example…science of course 😉. The beaker of sediment has clear water in it until it gets bumped, allowing the water to be clouded. Suffering bumps the “beaker of our lives.” It stirs up things we have tried to hide or have forgotten about.
B. What is an idol?
An object of trust that takes the place of God. Anything more important to you than God. Anything that absorbs your heart or imagination more than God.
C. How can suffering reveal it?I’m not sure I understand this question. I guess that we can find the root of our suffering and that will give us a clue as to the idol that is present? For example, if I am suffering because my children have continually disappointed me, I may be placing too much credence in them instead of placing that focus on God. This is hard.
Keller – Sorrow comes from losing one good thing among others. Despair comes from losing the ultimate thing. There is no alternative to that thing.
I am horrified as to something I saw on the online news last night and am appealing to any of you who live in Oregon to PLEASE contact your senators and representatives and BEG that they help in stopping the madness in your state! It goes right along with what we are talking about these past weeks. Dee you are SO on target here, it amazes me!
Here is what I saw that should never happen in the United States! A man, trying to help a woman (he is a truck driver, and based on what the man taking the video said, he was just stopped at a convenience store, not part of or near the rioting in Portland), was beaten until he was unconscious. This is just UNACCEPTABLE. There were NO police in the area. No one stopped them. Are you kidding me?? I am SO mad right now and will be calling my senators and reps offices TODAY and appealing to them to stand up for their country! This is ridiculous. The Portland, Oregon mayor, leaders, and governor should be ASHAMED of themselves for allowing such actions in their city. I am ashamed of THEM. The DA said he would not prosecute any protesters. These people could beat someone to death and get away with it, and they know it! It’s just terrible. I cannot believe this is happening in my country. I am distraught right now. Please, if you live in Oregon, flood the phone lines today and plead with these people to do their jobs! The only thing Americans really need is to be SAFE. It’s what we expect from our government firstly. I am praying (for the last few years) for the US at 8:00 pm. Or at least trying to. I have set an alarm to do so. I’m not sure who began the movement, but we need it. I’m not sure God hears our cries 😔.
Here is the prayer I mention. It was 4 years ago I began this.
http://minuteofprayer.blogspot.com/?m=1
Laura, being from Oregon, having worked in Portland…it breaks my heart to see what’s going on. Antifa has been in Portland for many years, violence is their modus operandi. The leadership is weak and fearful…they also tie the hands of the police to intervene. Praying for our country and this beautiful city…thanks for the link.
Yes, Laura, we need to pray for the leaders of this nation. I am reading from Pray for America Bible(One year readings), and say a prayer each day for those in leadership to seek God and to be the leaders we need for this time. There is an introduction by Senate Chaplain Barry Black.
I feel the same way Laura, and I have a reminder on my phone for every day at 8pm to pray for our country, the military, the first responders, the virus and also that we need to have God back in all things. My my phone goes off, I stop and pray. It’s a good habit to get in to.
9. Read Fixating on Financial Security and share what stands out to you.
Gold was everywhere in Jerusalem, not after the downfall though. Money can fuel misplaced trust and Financial security is a misplaced trust. It can become a functional god.
10. How did the funeral of a friend’s child awaken the author? Have you had an experience like this?
He was woken up when his focus was on how to financially renovate his house, and his friends son died. He went to the funeral and realized that losing a son would be so much worse than a financial problem and he decided his priorities were in the wrong place. An idol was exposed.
I suppose I have, or several in a row that made me give up eventually. I realized that really, God is more important than my comfort and security. We have always been blessed but I know that hard times are coming. I’m pretty sure if Joe Biden wins this election the government will begin taking personal property to pay for the outrageous give away programs coming down the pike. It’s scary to think you work all your life and someone will just come take it (one example is that the Medicare age will drop to 60 so someone has to pay…that means taxes (personal property) go up). Better not put much value on things here, but look above (although I’m feeling pretty ignored by God for a very long while now).
Oh Father,
I lift up Laura who feels ignored — I know she is not, and she does too — but would You give her a sense of Your presence and love? I do know You love us so.
In Jesus Name
Laura, your post resonates with us. 🙂 I have always been so drawn to you-your honest heart too and I know your heart delights God and you delight God-even when it feels like you don’t. Lord God I agree with Dee and ask too that you would encourage her with your presence and love. It could be that satan is seeking to distract her but you know..help her to battle satan’s lies with your truth. All of us need help with that today as thoughts constantly cross our minds-help us, we are desperate for you and especially so in these days where lies bombard us all day long. Only You can give us discernment- only your word can give us strength and help us to stand when satan’s lies and this world’s lies can make us weary. You are our hope! We long for you to come and to see you face to face. We love you though not as we should. Help us, help us Lord Jesus. In your precious and holy name.
Father I agree with Dee’s prayer for our Laura-you see her and you ADORE her. But sometimes it’s hard to hold on to that truth. Let her be reminded of Your presence.
Laura, I thought of you specifically today when I read Ann Voskamp’s blog. I’m so sorry I’m not techy enough to post a link to it here. But she talked about going through really hard times, and needing to picture yourself as a helpless lamb in the arms of Jesus. Reminding yourself that you are not the list of your failures; you are the one Jesus truly loves. She talked about practicing seeing and counting all the ways every day He lavishes love on you. She went on to say that this is what is meant by abiding. If we are only following, we can do that in our own striving and strength. Abiding means He is our only strength. We quit thinking about God and start thinking with Him. Knowing that no matter what happens, you are already safe, because you are in Him.
Dear Lord, please wrap Your loving arms around Laura right now.
Thank you all for prayers. He will come, eventually. I know it. I love Him, I am His. Thank You Lord!
What a sweet affirmation of trust in a God you cannot see, dear Laura. I admire you!
9. Fixating on Financial Security. What stood out? The security of money, or conversely, the fear of financial loss can easily become a functional god in our lives. The subtle shift from good stewardship to self centered anxiety. And that shift is very subtle! From time to time, I try to bring my mind through ‘what if’. What if our retirement funds disappeared? What if there was a fire and the house was a total loss? What if….. It is a way for me to probe the cracks where things hide. To shine light on the question, what am I trusting in? If I lost it, would God still be God?
10. How did the funeral of a friend’s child wake Mark up? Have you had an experience like this?
It hit Mark squarely that his money concerns had no eternal weight. Having worked hospice, and then cancer care, brought repeated opportunities to ask the important questions. What is really important to me? What will last?
11. Treating People like Saviors. What stood out?
The sentence, we believe life will be better if ‘our people’ are in control. This is a hard one for me this year. I feel like the outcomes are so very dire, and that to just sit back and say God is in control is tantamount to ignoring my civic responsibility. I see the direction we could go, and realize it could be the end of the US. That said, I also know that it is just a matter of time before the strident voices get their opportunity and our Christian values and freedoms will be gone. Then, wanting to help someone can even lead to becoming your own idol. It is not good to encourage people to rely on you instead of on God. Third thing, when we attempt to analyze our way forward… this one had me saying Ouch. I often fall into the trap of thinking that if I could understand, then I would do the right thing. And if the right thing is obvious to me, it should be to others also. Sigh.
11. Read Treating People like Saviors and share what stands out to you.
Humans can never give you the comfort you need. They cannot heal your heart after suffering. You can make idols out of leaders or even close friends and relatives. Our trust should rest in God alone.
12. Is there a person who tend to do this with — how could you speak to your soul about this?
I have actually had this happen with my best friend years ago. I was devastated when she moved across the world for a few years. I couldn’t believe how I grieved and finally had to “wake up.” We lost touch for those years really, but when she came back we reconnected. It took probably 5 total years for this to all occur. We are still best friends today. I remember talking to myself and saying, “what is wrong with you? You have other friends.” I eventually just had to let it go or I knew I would drive myself crazy.
If it is a spouse or close friend — how could you help each other find strength in God instead of in one another?
I suppose remind all of us that God is in control and He is the bond between us. As long as we have Him in our lives, we have each other. Read scripture, share scripture, sermons, podcasts, and things that we can discuss even if we are far away.
13. Meditate on Lamentations 4:20. What is it telling us?
No one will be above the Lords “doing.”
5. After the election in November 2012, Mark was unhappy to see the results of the moral decline evident in the election as states approved same-sex marriage and use of recreational marijuana. He knew that the Bible called him an exile. I am very disturbed about the same issues that have become even lower with the gender identity issue and the acceptance of alternate life-styles and how many churches just accept all of this.
6. Lament, the language of exiles: Mark’s teaching through Lamentations helped them to see the world through a different lens and to uncover some hidden idols. Lamentations mourns the objects of trust that are common to any culture.
7. I Peter 2:9-12 This passage clearly tells us that as Christ followers we are a chosen people, who belong to God, since we have been recipients of his mercy. We must abstain from sinful desires, and live such good lives that non-Christian may notice that we are different and even glorify God.
8. Lamentations 4 What stands out? As I read this again, I am struck by their dangers, Verse 18 Men stalked us at every step so we could not walk in our streets. Our end was near, our days were numbered, for our end had come.
What is an idol? It is anything that we go to rather than to God. It becomes a terrible substitute, something that satisfies for a time, but is useless.
How can suffering reveal it? Well, in suffering we know that it is no longer effective and we must trust in the One who is faithful always, who forgives our sins and satisfies all our longings.
Unearthing idols: So Mark gives the illustration of a beaker and how the sediment sinks to the bottom, but when it is bumped, this comes to the surface. So suffering reveals- or bumps the beaker of our lives so that our fear, pride or self-sufficiency are no longer hidden. Our idols, or object of our trust, that we have worshiped, are lost. The true test of our idolatry is our response to the loss of it.
Wednesday: Idols of Finances and People
While Lamentations surely can feel like a dark cloud, it is meant to lead us to the Rock who is higher than high.
9. Read Fixating on Financial Security and share what stands out to you. – I get that we should not worry about things in the future, since God’s Word tells us in Matthew 6.25-34 that all things will be taken care of. But I feel a little confused in what Mark is saying. Yes, the boys death, his friend’s sorrow was a much deeper pain then him worrying about making a mistake with the finances, but to him it was a big worry. Are we to feel bad about that struggle we had over something not as important as a young man’s death? I remember someone at work telling me that my sister was in a better place so why am I sad there are others with worse things to worry about. Those words, hurt more. I know she did not mean to hurt me, but at that time, my struggle was painful to me. I guess, maybe he is saying not to stay in the stressful situation? But I don’t completely understand how he felt he shouldn’t have worried about it at all.
10. How did the funeral of a friend’s child awaken the author? Have you had an experience like this? – I get out of this section that the author felt bad that he was worrying over something trivial while his friends just lost a young son. It made him aware I guess that what he was worrying about was very minor. I think I answered the 2nd part of this above.
11. Read Treating People like Saviors and share what stands out to you. – I think it can be very easy to put those you can see, those around you, on a pedestal and think that they can help you with your hurt. I think it is sometimes hard to turn to God. I know he exists, but sometimes I just want to hear an actual voice. But in the end, that voice will not be able to completely fill the hurt, the hole, or provide the unexplainable peace that comes over me. That is only from God, the only One that will have enough peace in Him to provide it to me. I’m realizing that one someone approaches me, I can listen, and be there, but ultimately I need to turn them to God for the help they need. I need to dig in deeper to His Word to find what they need that only he can provide them.
12. Is there a person who tend to do this with — how could you speak to your soul about this? If it is a spouse or close friend — how could you help each other find strength in God instead of in one another? – My husband puts me in this spot at times, and I don’t want to be in it because I know I fail him daily. He says he doesn’t know what he would do without me and I tell him you will go on. You will be fine. I don’t want the position in his life that God should be filling. It’s too hard of a job.
13. Meditate on Lamentations 4:20. What is it telling us? – It shows that the people were trusting the king, but he fell and followed those that were turning him away from God. They put their trust in him, but he failed them. They had no one to turn to anymore because they had turned away from God.
Julie, When something is a big deal to you, it is a big deal. Mark was just relating his own personal experience of having God shine light on his heart and what had happened to his attitude and affections, both before the funeral and then at it. This was God’s dealing with Mark, not a blanket statement for everyone everywhere. God knows when we’ve made something too big, but He also knows our frailty and is always tender with us. I think the key is to always be bringing to Jesus everything that concerns us, no matter how big or small we think it is, and allow God to shine His light on it. When He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, He still cried with the sisters. He didn’t say to them not to mourn. He, alone, can enter anything you’re going through and do what you need right then.
Thanks Mary for the reminder of Jesus crying and mourning his friend.
Julie, I like your ponderings on #9. I am sure that your coworker’s words about your sister’s death were very painful at the time. There is always someone else with a “worse problem” than us, I suppose, yet I don’t feel it is good to minimize our own or someone else’s pain. When you tell someone that there are others with worse problems, you are negating and minimizing their pain, and I don’t believe that helps.
It didn’t help at the time, that’s for sure, but what it did you was make me more aware of how I respond to those who are mourning or are in pain of any kind.
5. Read the opening of Chapter 7 and share what stands out to you. In what ways can you identify? The rate of change was alarming (in 2012) and here we are, just 8 short years later and we Christians are still trying to come to grips with the “uncoupling of Christianity from American culture.” It’s astounding to me that we have communities wanting to “defund the police” thinking that people will get along – and yet, do they not see with their eyes, hear with their ears what is happening in Portland (Oregon), Seattle, Chicago, New York without the presence of law officers? It does not work because we do live in a fallen world. It boggles my mind. And then I remember that Jesus tells us what the signs of His coming again will be and to be watching and looking for His return.
6. In Dark Clouds, read Lament: Language of Exiles and share what stands out to you. Lamentations gives us a language to express our struggles and fears; helps us see the world and ourselves through a different lens; and helps to uncover hidden idols. We do “mourn the loss” of (fill in the blank). For me, I realized that I was mourning the loss of my dreams of planning weddings with and for my girls, of watching their Dad give them away to their groom, of celebrating this new start of their life as a couple, of the way we raised them to date a believer, get married, go on a honeymoon, set up house, have kids. Instead, they became pregnant with non-believers and then got married at the justice of the peace. This just was not at all in my lens or scope – and it threw me HARD and was least expected.
7. Read 1 Peter 2:9-12 and describe how an exile should live. How does this speak to you? The Message Bible: “Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when He arrives.” I try to do this with my family, my co-workers, and the people who come into our office each month. I’m not perfect but I so want and pray to be “Light” to others, to reflect my Lord in a way that is pleasing to Him.
8. Read Lamentations 4: Unearthing Idols
A. What stands out to you and why? I want to read Counterfeit Gods. I wish I would have had these resources and books in my “dark years”: Counterfeit Gods, . . . and yet undaunted, Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, Idol Lies (which I read last week 😊). Honestly though, those books would have/could have been their own idol in that it would have kept me from the One true source of hope, wisdom, knowledge, acceptance, and revelation. They would have absorbed my heart and imagination more than God, they would have taken me away from or kept me from God, they would have taken the emotional and practical place of God. And God and His Word is what I needed at that time and He came to my rescue – for which I am so so grateful!!
B. What is an idol? Anything or anyone that absorbs my heart and imagination more than God, that takes the emotional and practical place of God.
C. How can suffering reveal it? Our response to the suffering or loss or mourning reveals if it’s an idol. “the true test of idolatry is our response to its loss.”
Oh Karmen — that would have thrown me HARD too. How are your daughters’ marriages now? May God mercifully bring the husbands to Him.
Dee, my oldest daughter’s marriage is strong; my youngest daughter is now divorced.
Karmen, I am so glad you shared your heartbreak about what happened with your daughters for that resonates with a lot of us here. Thanks for your honesty. Glad to have you with us!
Thank you. I am glad to be here as well.
12. Is there a person you tend to treat like a savior? How could you speak to your soul about it? If it is a spouse or close friend, how could you help each other find strength in God instead of each other?
Throughout my life, God has done a good job of stripping me of people I’ve wanted to make too important. He has moved us, He allowed our marriage to be threatened, He continually takes me down a notch or two whenever I start thinking I’m something. James 4:10 says to humble yourself before the Lord. Remembering that helps, as an encouragement to get down before I get knocked down. As far as helping each other find strength in God, seems like it would be good to shed light on the danger. To say out loud how we both need to keep turning to God, the only One who can guard our souls and keep us safe at all times.
13. Meditating on Lamentations 4:20. What is it telling us?
Even what seems to be God’s gifts to us can be taken away. Leaders, nations, culture. Only One thing cannot be taken from us, and that is the Lord. I’ve wondered how I would do if I were imprisoned for being a Christian. I haven’t proved to be great at singing praises through even minor pain. But hopefully, what Corrie Ten Boom’s father told her would be true for me. That when I needed it, God would give me the ticket.
So glad you brought up Corrie ten Boom. I reread The Hiding Place as well as watched the movie. There is godly wisdom in the words from Corrie as she recalls God’s dealings in a time of great suffering. She encourages me in faith. Thanks, Mary.
Tuesday: Idols
1. Read the opening of Chapter 7 and share what stands out to you. In what ways can you identify?
This looks like a very rich chapter and has resonated deeply so far with me. School has been busy and am starting to feel I would be often behind here. But I will keep at it.
I am an exile, a foreigner ( can apply to me here in the US technically as I am originally from the Philippines). I am not of this world though in this world.
I can identify being an exile at times when I am not included in a get together because I chose to. Like being invited to go to the bar for drinks. I have tried once before to go just to feel included and I regretted it. People have a tendency to be more “loose” with their words after so many drinks and I left that party after I couldn’t stand the discomfort. Certain friends knew not to invite me anymore. I found this wonderful article on being Christians in the world: https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/christians-soul-world-diognetus/
2. In Dark Clouds, read Lament: Language of Exiles and share what stands out to you.
“Uncurling our fingers from our objects of trust.” Oh, that my hands will not hold on to things or people as my objects of trust.
3. Read 1 Peter 2:9-12 and describe how an exile should live. How does this speak to you?
To abstain from sinful desires, live a good testimony and do good things, declaring His praises.
I think of Romans 12:1-2 “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds…”
One of the ways I can live as an exile is to continue getting to know how Jesus lived. I don’t need to conform to the world. Whenever I feel like I am doing something that is against what the world expects, I need to remember whose I am. Although I am not sure I would feel good all the time being an exile, I am comforted to know that Jesus lived that way as well.
9. Read Lamentations 4: Unearthing Idols
A. What stands out to you and why?
The beaker illustration. It is a daily experience and I have a choice how to respond when the beaker of my life gets bumped. I actually felt pain as I was reading this section
because it has unearth other idols that I have that I was not aware of,
B. What is an idol?
An idol is anything that is more important in my life other than God.
C. How can suffering reveal it?
Suffering has shown me where I have misplaced trust-money, people, even myself.
Tuesday’s lesson I was reminded of being an exile in this place. I’ve learned to say, “It’s only temporary.” I rejoice in God Who knows when and how to uncover my idols for His glory. He does the wounding and the healing. I learned from the beaker image. In pain and suffering, where do I go for direction, wisdom, comfort, healing. I say with Paul in Phil 3:10 “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” Yes, Lord. I have no idea what all that means but I trust the Lord Who holds me in His Hand never to let go.
Wed lesson Lamentations 4:20 Hope and trust were placed on the leader of God’s people, not in God Himself. But even this leader was deceived and caught in the trap of deception. The people may have thought, “He’s the one that will make us greatest in the world so lets live in his sharow.” God raises or removes according to His plans and for His glory. Idols are cast down.
Thurs lesson Unfolding before our eyes is the very thing Jesus warned us about so no surprises there. As in days of Noah… I have read through the account in Genesis 6 noting especially the words in vs 5, “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” I agree with you, Dee. “God’s hand is removed.” We are under His judgment. But like Jeremiah, we are to suffer with the people of God so we can bring the Good News.
Heavenly Father, if it weren’t for You renewing my mind, transforming me, I would have evil intent continually in my heart. Thank You for so great a salvation in Christ Jesus, my Savior, my Ark. I see the evil around the world and know there is still restraint by Your hand but one day the restraint will be removed and the lawless one will be revealed. Help me destroy arguments and every loft opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. This is too high for me, I can not attain it on my own. I trust You to do it. Grant me love and wisdom in these days of great evil. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Wednesday 9. Read Fixating on Financial Security and share what stands out to you. This section really hit home for me as my husband will be retiring December of 2021 and financial security has played heavily on my mind. Reading this revealed to me that I have a fear of not “having enough.” But that “enough” comes in the way of not being able to live the lifestyle we have now, such as eating out (which we do way too much of), playing golf or spending money on our children and grandchildren. It seems that it’s a revealed idol that has led to reveal more idols in my life🥺 Oh Lord, forgive me for not trusting in You, for relying on comfort and self-sufficiency. I recall to my mind how You have met our needs during hardships in the past…You have never failed us. I choose to trust in You. Amen10. How did the funeral of a friend’s child awaken the author?It helped him gain perspective on how much he was consumed with financial security…I think that seeing the lament of a family loosing a child pulled him into a lament of his own. God sure does have a way of slapping us upside the head…wake up!Have you had an experience like this? Not that I can recall 11. Read Treating People like Saviors and share what stands out to you. Ok, I’m getting really tired of Mark getting to the nitty gritty of my life! I am guilty of putting too much trust in people to be my savior. How often did/do I say and hear people say, we must vote for so and so because he’ll put the right person on the Supreme Court, someone who will stand up for religious freedom, someone who is against abortion and the list goes on. This is an idol that I believe many Christians aren’t even aware of or don’t want to admit…where do I put my trust? Does this man really have that much control over what goes on in the world? Obviously not and again I think God is trying to get our attention to realize that He is the One who is in control…He has allowed this virus, economic instability and political unrest. We say we trust in God but are willing to accept what Hiswill may be for this country? Lord, revival starts in my own heart. Show me how to trust in You through these troubling times, Amen 12. Is there a person who tend to do this with — how could you speak to your soul about this? If it is a spouse or close friend — how could you help each other find strength in God instead of in one another? I have had four friends lose their husbands to heart attacks and have seen how dependent upon their husbands they were…I’m there too, but God has shown me over the years and still shows me that He needs to be the one I’m dependent upon. My husband has done such a good job, maybe too good, of taking care of me and with my physical condition I am glad he does but this reminds me who my ultimate care taker is and He will always be there for me.I feel this is a conversation that my husband and I need to have. Like Julie, my husband also says, “I don’t know what I’d do with out you.” I’ve always felt this was just his way of making me feel wanted, which it does, but we both need to turn to Jesus as our savior, not one another. 13. Meditate on Lamentations 4:20. What is it telling us? The people regarded their king, Zedekiah, as the anointed of the Lord, even though he was placed there by Nebuchadnezzer and were hoping that under his shadow they could live among the nations. According to Jeremiah 37 he, Zedekiah and the people paid little attention to what Jeremiah had to say but he did ask Jeremiah to pray and then basically Jeremiah told him Egypt isn’t going to help you and you will be defeated by the Babylonians. Zedekiah ended up putting Jeremiah in the dungeon. Wow! Who are our leaders listening or not listening to? Who are we putting our hope in? “For the word of God is alive and the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes; and He is the one to whom we are accountable.” Hebrews 4;12,13
Thanks for your honesty — I think most of us can identify. We are so blessed, yet often fear not having enough. And so wise to know that He, and not our bank account or husbands must be the One we are dependent on!
14. Comment on the above.
Dee I will respectfully disagree with you on this point about the founding fathers not being Christians. I went online and found a very well written argument to the contrary from the CS Lewis institute. I have read about half of it so far. Here is a link:
https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/webfm_send/6598
I believe the founding fathers were Christians because scripture is woven through our constitution and documents, not to mention our memorials as well. Not a big fan of Hamilton, I know that he had my birthday, and I remember learning something about him in high school that made me not like him very much. I can’t remember what that was. It might’ve been that he was trying to lead our country into a different form of government then the other founding fathers wanted. My logic about the founding fathers waving the Bible through our government, concedes that if they bothered to use scripture, then they must know scripture. If they knew scripture, they must know something about God. They use both New Testament and Old Testament verses to form our government according to this writer. We can’t presume to know what was in their hearts with respect to God. just as no one knows what’s in the heart of a prisoner on death row with respect to God, we don’t know how faithful they were to Him. Also, just because they owned slaves doesn’t mean they didn’t believe in God and know Him. This was the practice of the country at that time. Let me also point out that America was not the first to enslave people. It was common practice thousands of years ago even. Think of the Israelites in Egypt. I’m not condoning slavery. It is awful. I’m just saying that that was practiced back then by people around the world. This writer proposes the idea at the bottom of page 8 that
“…they used the Bible to gain insights into the character and designs of God, especially as they pertain to God’s providential oversight of the material world and, more specifically, God’s dealings with men and nations.”
I believe the founding fathers knew God and loved Him. Otherwise why would our Declaration of Independence say, “… endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…”?
Interesting rebuttal, Laura. I think that many, even still in America, who no longer embrace the faith of their Father, still believe in the morality of their fathers. I see that in my Unitarian sister — though she doesn’t embrace it all — feels differently about sex and money — but does agree all are created equal –and that it is wrong to steal…
I always love that you are not afraid of debate!
Good point Dee. Healthy debate is good! As long as it’s respectful.
14. Is it really true that Adams was the only Christian? I admit to being leery of modern things written about our founders, that they may be rewriting it. We do have So Much to be grateful for, and yes, it is because God has been merciful. I think the believers over the years wanted to live for Jesus and spread His truth. Much of our blessing rests on their merits. But collectively, we’ve been turning further and further away. So why should we expect to be blessed any longer?
15. Cultural Comfort. What area can you pray a lament for?
The culture of Jerusalem unraveled, and it is happening for us. James 5:6 you have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you. Isn’t that a picture of abortion? Mark says lament calls us not to ignore the cries of our culture. And it is way more than just abortion.
O, Lord, tears flood my eyes because of the sins of my nation. We, who once were called a beacon on a hill, who once claimed Your name, have become so very, very wicked. We have become the words of 2 Tim 3:2-7, lovers of self and money, unholy, having a form of godliness, but denying You, the only true God, worming their way into gaining control over weak people, always learning but never acknowledging the truth. And that is just a paraphrase! We are like the adulterous woman in Proverbs 30:20, who says I’ve done nothing wrong. We deserve Your punishment and wrath. But O Lord, You’ve left a remnant, and we cry out to You to turn our hearts and our country back to You. Convict us and lead us to repentance. Correct us in Your mercy…