Self exam...

"Let us examine and probe our ways, and let us return to the Lord."--Lamentations 3:40.   This is the first time I have looked at this chapter and admittedly taken a closer look at the book of Lamentations.  This chapter speaks of how bad conditions have gotten as a result of Israel's sin.  God has seemingly removed His protective hand and now Israel is in a state of total depravity.   This is honestly a depressing chapter but it contains a telling message. It provides the answer to the universal question of why???

Many times when people, myself included, find themselves in difficult circumstances they are tempted to ask the question why? The problem is they ask it not because they are searching for a reason but because they are complaining. Israel went through some very difficult times.  WHY??? Because they disobeyed.

This is why Israel was in such terrible conditions.  Their disobedience is what caused their problems.  I just want to note here that problems are not always a result of sin. Take Job for instance, he committed no sin but God allowed for the worst problems anyone could ever have to come on him because God knew he was faithful and would not waver.

Job examined his ways to see if he was indeed not sinning in any way.  We need to examine our ways. The immediate context of this passage in Lamentations is Lamentations 3:39-45.  This section opens asking why should we complain in view of our sins? We "lift up our heart and hands" but we have rebelled. Verse 44 states that God has made a cloud so no prayer can pass through.

This is how terrible an impact our sin can have on our relationship with God.  If we continue in our stubborn sinful ways, we will eventually reach a point where God is just not going to listen anymore. That's a scary thought.

We need to be thankful we serve a God who bestows grace but per Romans 6:1 we are NOT to abuse that grace.  Lamentations 3 paints a perfect picture why we are NOT to abuse that grace that God so freely gives.

If we wish to receive that free gift of God, the starting point is in Christ then going from there.

Tonight I encourage you to do as Lamentations 3:40 suggests, examine and probe your ways and return to the Lord by obeying the gospel and/or repenting of any sin that may be plaguing your life.  THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION! PRAY ABOUT IT! LOVE Y'ALL! GOD BLESS!