Prayer is Remembering
Jerusalem remembers in the days of her affliction and bitterness all the precious things that were hers from the days of old. (Lamentations 1:7a)
Lam. 1:3-7a, 3:19-33, and 5:19-21; Ps. 23:5, 31:19; Mic. 7:15; I Tim. 4:4-6; II Tim. 4:18
What Is God Saying?
The theme of the Book of Lamentations is sadness. It is, in fact, a funeral dirge. It is a part of the Hagiographa, separate and smaller scrolls of the Holy Writings that are read at certain feasts, such as Ruth and Esther. They are five poems, written in acrostic form; each verse begins with the next letter of the alphabet for easier recollection. Lamentations is Jeremiah weeping over Jerusalem, as Jesus did centuries later.
Lamentations are read aloud in Jewish synagogues in mid-July (the ninth day of the fourth month) to mark the anniversary of the Temple's destruction in 587 B.C. From beginning to end it speaks of the pain, the sorrow, and the feeling of desolation that comes over a nation (or a person) when God is forsaken. In a sense, the book is like a cloud that covers the sun. ‘Thou hast wrapped thyself with a cloud so that no prayer can pass through’ (Lam. 3:44 ). Yet much of Jeremiah's Lamentation is like fringes of gold that appear on a cloud's dark edge, the promise of things to come more wonderful than we can think. Let us be ennobled by the great blessings that will come to all who seek the Lord and trust His faithfulness.
How Does This Apply To Us?
We can remember ‘precious things from the days of old.’ We also trust God's faithfulness to give us precious things again. ‘But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end’ (Lam. 3:21).
Pray With Me
O God, our help in ages past, when Jerusalem recalled her days of freedom, joy and prosperity, it was a remembrance that brought sorrow. Yet, dear Lord, I am encouraged by the assurance that the Lord who was faithful is faithful. He who once filled my cup to overflowing can and will do the same again. Though the sun is darkened, it is not extinguished.
I remember the simple trust and spontaneous joys of childhood, somehow lost when experience taught me to be wiser and sadder, and still, I believe such is the kingdom of God. I remember the enthusiasms of youth for ideals long since dimmed and tarnished, yet in the Christ who makes all things new, this prec10us thing that was mine from days of old will return. I remember my first love for Christ, the unquestioning loyalty, the prompt obedience, the glad surrender, and all the happiness that came unsought because I was His and He was mine.
Looking to the past, I am saved in the present and welcome the future. Wherever I look whether to the joys of the past, the discipline of the present, or the rewards of the future, I see Him who is ‘the same yesterday, today, and forever.’ All the precious things that were, shall be .. and infinitely more, for the treasures of His grace and love, can never be exhausted.
In the name of Him who makes recalling joy and anticipation a sure and certain hope, even Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
Prayer is remembering. ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.’ The Lord has given us family and friends and meaningful work. Prayer is remembering precious things. It is remembering when things seemed too overwhelming to go on and God got us up and got us moving.
• Remembering is the door to thanksgiving, prayer's greatest joy.
• Remembering is the basis of trust, prayer's greatest strength.
Prayer claims all the blessings of Lamentations 3:22-24, ‘Great, indeed, is Thy faithfulness.’
