end of worship

Posted on December 12, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

end of worship

Lamentations 2:6-7 (JDV)

Lamentations 2:6 He has wrecked his temple as if it were merely a shack in a field, destroying his place of meeting. Yahveh has abolished appointed festivals and Sabbaths in Zion. He has despised king and priest in his fierce anger.
Lamentations 2:7 The Lord has rejected his altar, renounced his sanctuary; he has handed the walls of her palaces over to the enemy. They have raised a shout in the house of Yahveh like on the day of an appointed festival.

end of worship

Long before Jesus overturned the moneychangers’ tables in the temple, Yahveh wrecked it by allowing it to be invaded by foreign armies. Why would God do such a thing? The same reason his Son did. When worship becomes a sham, God puts an end to the show.

Lord, teach us how to worship you with integrity and respect.

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like an enemy

Posted on December 11, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

like an enemy

Lamentations 2:1-5 (JDV)

Lamentations 2:1 How the Lord has covered Daughter Zion with the cloud of his anger! He has thrown down Israel’s glory from the sky to the land. He did not acknowledge his footstool in the day of his anger.
Lamentations 2:2 Without compassion the Lord has swallowed up all the dwellings of Jacob. In his wrath he has demolished the fortified cities of Daughter Judah. He brought them to the ground and defiled the kingdom and its leaders.
Lamentations 2:3 He has cut off every horn of Israel in his burning anger and withdrawn his right hand in the presence of the enemy. He has blazed against Jacob like a flaming fire that consumes everything.
Lamentations 2:4 He has strung his bow like an enemy; his right hand is positioned like an adversary. He has killed everyone who was the delight to the eye, pouring out his wrath like fire on the tent of Daughter Zion.
Lamentations 2:5 The Lord is like an enemy; he has swallowed up Israel. He swallowed up all its palaces and destroyed its fortified cities. He has multiplied mourning and lamentation within Daughter Judah.

like an enemy

We need God in our lives, but as a friend, not like an enemy. Judah had so infuriated their Lord that he turned on them, and began treating them like an enemy.

Oh, Father, forgive us, and turn your wrath from us. We need your comfort and your healing. We confess that our sins have brought these trials upon us, but without your help, we have no help. Put down your bow, Lord, and restore your people.

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bring on the day

Posted on December 10, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

Lamentations - 1

bring on the day

Lamentations 1:20-22 (JDV)

Lamentations 1:20 Yahveh, see how I am in distress. I am churning within; my heart is broken, because I have been very rebellious. Outside, the sword takes the children; inside, there is death.
Lamentations 1:21 People have heard me groaning, but there is no one to comfort me. All my enemies have heard of my misfortune; they are glad that you have caused it. Bring on the day you have announced, so that they may become like me.
Lamentations 1:22 Let all their wickedness come before you, and deal with them as you have dealt with me because of all my transgressions. You see, my groans are many, and I am sick at heart.

bring on the day

The city feels the shame of being singled out for God’s judgment. Even in her destitute state, she prays that God deal with the surrounding nations as he has done with her. She cannot stand being laughed at by heathen nations that are more wicked than she is. She admits that she is getting what she deserves, but the fact that God seems to be overlooking the sins of others is too much for her to bear.

But she know that God has a day of judgment coming, and her prayer is that she lives to see justice. This is not the most noble sentiment, and we do not have to do theological gymnastics to justify it. We are hearing many groans of a sinful, sick heart, groping about for help.

Lord, we know you have a day coming in which all your enemies will be brought to justice. We long for that day as well, but we also ask you to help us restore the nations to yourself before that day comes.

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look at my pain

Posted on December 9, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

Lamentations - 1

look at my pain

Lamentations 1:18-19 (JDV)

Lamentations 1:18 Yahveh is being just, because I have rebelled against his command. Listen, all you people; look at my pain. My young women and young men have gone into captivity.
Lamentations 1:19 I called to my lovers, but they betrayed me. My priests and elders were destroyed in the city while searching for food to keep themselves alive.

look at my pain

The city calls on the people to look at her pain. She knows that she is suffering justly, and wants everyone to know it. As difficult as these times of trouble and heartache are, they can be opportunities to witness to the glory of God. But we have to get over own own pride and self-righteousness.

Lord, your ways are right, even we suffer. You are just.

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something impure

Posted on December 8, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

Lamentations - 1

something impure

Lamentations 1:16-17 (JDV)

Lamentations 1:16 I cry because of these things; my eyes flow with tears. For there is no one nearby to comfort me, no one to keep me alive. My children are desolate because the enemy has won.
Lamentations 1:17 Zion stretches out her hands; there is no one to comfort her. The Lord has issued a decree against Jacob that his neighbors should be his adversaries. Jerusalem has become something impure among them.

something impure

The city was being treated like a leper colony. No one wanted to see the once beautiful and majestic land — now defeated and in disgrace.

The pain of being ignored after once being honored and appreciated can be worse than physical pain. All you want to do is cry out, but you are afraid of the empty space all around you. It is humiliating to break down, and have no one around to comfort you.

Lord, rescue us from our incredible desolation. Only you can restore us to yourself, and that is what we need.

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trampled

Posted on December 7, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

Lamentations - 1

trampled

Lamentations 1:13-15 (JDV)

Lamentations 1:13 He sent fire from high up into my bones; he made it descend. He spread a net for my feet and turned me back. He made me desolate, sick all day long.
Lamentations 1:14 My transgressions have been formed into a yoke, fastened together by his hand; they have been placed on my neck, and the Lord has broken my strength. He has handed me over to those I cannot resist.
Lamentations 1:15 The Lord has rejected all the mighty men within me. He has summoned an army against me to crush my young warriors. The Lord has trampled Virgin Daughter Judah like grapes in a wine-press.

trampled

The Lamenter describes Virgin daughter Judah as having been trampled like grapes in a wine press. It speaks of the aftermath of violent confrontation, and a loss of strength and integrity.

When Jesus returns, his domination of the nations is described with similar wording. He will rule them with an iron rod, and he will tread the wine press of God’s fierce wrath (Revelation 19:15).

At this time, it is God’s own nation who is experiencing this fate. It is their transgressions that have been formed into a heavy yoke.

But we are fortunate to be living in an age of grace, and that great warrior — Jesus — comes to us today and offers us a light yoke for our necks.

Lord, give us the wisdom to accept your offer of peace, because the day of wrath and judgment is quickly approaching.

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detested

Posted on December 6, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

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detested

Lamentations 1:7-12 (JDV)

Lamentations 1:7 During the days of her misery and homelessness Jerusalem remembers all the precious belongings that were hers in the old days. When her people fell into the adversary’s hand, she had no one to help. The adversaries looked at her, laughing at her downfall.
Lamentations 1:8 Jerusalem has sinned grievously; which is why she has become an object of scorn. All who honored her now detest her, because they have seen her nakedness. She herself groans and turns away.
Lamentations 1:9 Her uncleanness stains her skirts. She never considered her end. Her downfall was astonishing; there was no one to comfort her. Lord, look on my misery because the enemy boasts.
Lamentations 1:10 The adversary has seized all her precious belongings. She has even seen the nations enter her sanctuary – those you had forbidden to enter your congregation.
Lamentations 1:11 All her people sigh while they search for bread. They have traded their precious property for food in order to stay alive. Yahveh, look and see how I have become despised.
Lamentations 1:12 Is this nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see! Is there any pain like mine, which was dealt out to me, which Yahveh made me suffer on the day of his burning anger?

detested

The once beautiful city has lost it all and is now looked on and detested. Do you feel that shame? And it is a shame that could have been prevented. She lost it all — included her honor and glory — because she sinned against God.

Lord, forgive us and restore us. We feel the shame and ugliness of sin.
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overtaken

Posted on December 5, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

Lamentations - 1

overtaken

Lamentations 1:3-6 (JDV)

Lamentations 1:3 Judah has gone into exile after misery and harsh slavery; she lives among the nations but finds no place to rest. All her pursuers have overtaken her in narrow places.
Lamentations 1:4 The roads to Zion mourn, because no one comes to the appointed festivals. All her gates are deserted; her priests are sighing, her young women grieve, and she herself is bitter.
Lamentations 1:5 Her adversaries have become her masters; her enemies are taking it easy, because Yahveh has made her suffer due to of her many transgressions. Her children have gone away as captives in the face of the adversary.
Lamentations 1:6 All the glamour has disappeared from Daughter Zion. Her leaders are like stags that find no pasture; they stumble away exhausted in the face of the hunter.

overtaken

The once beautiful and powerful city now sits defenseless like prey surrounded by predators. They have already overtaken her, and are in the midst of devouring her.

And it is her fault. This fate is hers because she has offended her God. Is there no hope?

Not yet. There will be hope, but it is important for Jerusalem to see the consequences of her choices.

Lord, help us to learn from this terrible truth. We run to you and seek help so that we are not overtaken.

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abandoned

Posted on December 4, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

Lamentations - 1

abandoned

Lamentations 1:1-2 (JDV)

Lamentations 1:1 How isolated she sits, the city which was crowded with people! She who was prominent among the nations has become like a widow. The princess among the provinces has become a compulsory laborer.
Lamentations 1:2 She cries bitterly during the night, with tears on her cheeks. There is no one to offer her comfort, not one from all her lovers. All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies.

abandoned

The Lamentations are prophetic words delivered in poetic fashion, like the Lament Psalms. Here an unknown author (I will call him the Lamenter) describes Jerusalem in exile as a princess who has been betrayed and abandoned by her former lovers — the kings of the nations. The once crowded city is now isolated, rejected, lonely. The city that was intended to draw the nations to God now mourns at night with no one to comfort her.

Lord God, our lives do not reflect your plan for us. We feel abandoned. Restore us to your favor and your intended destiny.
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read it to everyone

Posted on December 3, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

read it to everyone

1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 (JDV)

1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace himself consecrate you completely. And may your whole breath, throat, and body be preserved sound and blameless at the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 He who invites you is faithful; he will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us also.
1 Thessalonians 5:26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss.
1 Thessalonians 5:27 I charge you by the Lord that this letter is read to all the brothers and sisters.
1 Thessalonians 5:28 The favor of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

read it to everyone

Paul’s closing instruction is a fitting end to a letter filled with encouragement, correction, and hope. He understood that the Scriptures—whether the Old Testament or the apostolic writings—were never meant to be guarded by a select few. They were meant to be heard, read, shared, and obeyed by the whole congregation. That is why he insists that his letter be read to all the brothers and sisters, not just leaders or a privileged circle.

This instinct runs straight through the Reformation centuries later:
God’s word belongs to God’s people.
No believer should be kept from hearing it. No language barrier, no cultural distance, no human gatekeeping should prevent the Scriptures from reaching those who hunger for truth.

Yet today, vast portions of the world still lack access to the Bible in their own language. Millions have never heard a single verse read aloud. Even in places where Scripture is available, obstacles remain—illiteracy, poverty, persecution, indifference, or simple lack of exposure. The need is enormous, and the mission is unfinished.

If we truly believe the Bible’s message, then we must also believe its mandate:
God wants His word to run swiftly and be glorified.
That means seeking ways to place Scripture into the hands, ears, and hearts of those who do not yet have it. Supporting translation work. Sharing digital resources. Teaching. Reading aloud. Carrying the message across barriers that others assume cannot be crossed.

Paul’s command still echoes:
“Make sure this word is heard by everyone.”

Lord, show us ways to get your word to those who haven’t heard.
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