Prayer: Father, help me to grieve well during the times of loss. Proper sorrow is what I ask for. Appropriate lament for my sin. Thank You for Your grace, mercy, and blessed restoration. Amen.
Reading: Ezekiel 19 key: vs. 14 “Fire has spread from its main branch and devoured its fruit. No strong branch is left on it to become a ruler’s scepter.” This is a lamentation, and it is to be used as a lamentation.” TLV
Attention: Woe is me. Well, the great lament for me today is the discovery that I started this journal weeks ago and filed it to complete sometime later. Well, today is the latter. In my sickly state a couple weeks ago (I was diagnosed with covid), I did several journals in stages, between naps. So, I am lamenting today, that I did not complete this journal and I need to get it written and forwarded to my admin.
What was lamenting in Bible times? Like today, lamenting was an outward form of expression of one’s emotions of grief and deep sorrow, usually over the death of a loved one or relative. Grief of this type may extend for a week or greater, while death of a leader would extend for 30 days. They might also tear either their inner or outer garments, refrain from washing and other normal activities, and they often put on sackcloth (source: Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary pg. 690-691).
Ezekiel was commanded to write a lament and declare it to Israel. His lament was a warning, giving notice of approaching lament over the sins of the nation.
There was a time in my life where I was faced with the sins of my past. In being transparent with myself and God, I experienced deep sorrow over the man I discovered. I find that personal reflection prior to sharing the communion table has always brought sorrow over the price Messiah paid for my sin. I encourage you to experience lament today, as a part of your reflection upon Messiah.
Action: I choose to experience the lament associated with Messiah’s death.
Yield: I choose to surrender to the sorrow and grief I experience at the cross of Messiah.
Engage: I choose to engage with the process of sorrow and grief of the cross.
Relationship: I choose to live in relationship with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, You are a Man of Sorrows, acquainted with grief. You understand my grief and You will someday wipe away my tears. What a joyful day that will be! Amen.
Memory Verse: Isaiah 53:3 “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief, One from whom people hide their faces. He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” TLV
Music Video: Hillsong—Man of Sorrows https://youtu.be/YlOJ5o8W4Lw?si=EMOqaHAusiGxUalc
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!