“Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.”

The book of Lamentations was written by the prophet Jeremiah. It chronicles the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonian army, led by King Nebuchadnezzar. The first two chapters of the book give sad accounts of what happened to the inhabitants of Jerusalem during the siege.

In chapter three are two verses about God’s faithfulness which, with the backdrop of the first two chapters, might seem misplaced. Lamentations 3:22, 23 says, “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Jeremiah saw that the Israelites were not completely destroyed because God is merciful, compassionate, and faithful; great is God’s faithfulness.

How could it be that in judgment God is being merciful, compassionate, and faithful? Idolatry was why judgment fell upon Jerusalem. Nearly all of the prophetic books point out Israel’s idolatry, God’s anger with it, and His desire that they turn from it and obey and worship Him. Idolatry is equated with adultery in the Bible. In their idolatry, the people were being unfaithful to God. By practicing idolatry, they forsook God, the only One that really cared for them; Who wanted nothing but their best. But, though they had offended Him in this way, He was compassionate and merciful to them, and He was faithful to them. In spite of God’s many warnings through the prophets, they refused to turn away from their idols; they refused to turn to and trust in Him. And so, God’s judgment fell, as told in Lamentations. In the verse above, Jeremiah suggests a plan of action; “Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.”

First, Jeremiah says, Let us search our ways. The Hebrew word means to search with diligence. He wanted them to think about where they were headed and the paths that they were using to get there. Note that he includes himself in this search. If people really desire to see Almighty God, do they think that He can be approached in just any way? Some say that there are many paths to God. They seem to think that anything they choose is OK, without considering that the One Whom they “seek” might have thoughts about it. Could He have feelings and rules about how to approach Him? Let us not be presumptuous with God. He does indeed have prescriptions about being in His presence that MUST be followed or we will not be able to be in His presence.

Then Jeremiah said they should try their ways. Having searched out their ways, they were to try or test them. What would be a good test? What would be a trustworthy standard? The philosophies of men fall too short for consideration. The Bible has much to say about how to approach God. Would their ways pass that test? And, what if they found that their approach didn’t line up with God’s Word? Would they be willing to set aside their notions and come to Him on His terms? Are the paths we have chosen in accordance with what He requires? Let us try our ways.

Jeremiah then says that, having searched and tested their ways, they should turn again to God. The Israelites were under God’s judgment, and Jeremiah tells them to turn to Him again. Could it be that having rebelled against Him as they have, He would accept them again? Remember what Jeremiah said, “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” And, Hosea 6:1 states, “Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.”

Turning to Him means seeking and coming to Him in His way, believing that He will accept us. If we are honest, we quickly see that our ways are not even close to what honors Him. We must turn to His ways. And, incredible as it may seem, scripture clearly teaches that when we seek for Him we will find Him! Even in their adulterous idolatry, God would accept the Israelites if they turned from their sin.

So, what is His way? The Bible teaches that without faith it is impossible to please God. As recorded in Genesis 15, Abraham believed God and his belief was counted to him for righteousness. His belief was in God concerning a promise that He had made that his descendants would be innumerable. At the time, Abraham was 75 years old, and didn’t have any children.

At the center of the Bible is the death, burial, and resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ. This is the event upon which all matters of eternity hang for every person. God says that we must be reconciled to Him through the sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus has reconciled us to God, we cannot reconcile ourselves. Nothing we can do can make an eternal difference. We must stop trying to convince God that we are good enough, and humble ourselves before Him. Our only hope before God is to take Jesus as our Savior from God’s wrath. We must have faith in Him. Jesus said He is the Way to God. Everything else is idolatry.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain (Edward Mote)

“… I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go …”

The book of Song of Solomon describes the love between a man and woman. In the verses that precede this one, the woman is seeking her beloved. Her search started at night, and led her to go into the city on her own. So great was her love for her beloved that personal safety did not deter her. We are told that she searched in the streets and the broad ways. It is also told that, “The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?” In her search, she requested aid from the city guards. But, they were unable to help her in her search. But, she finally found her beloved. And, as it says above, she held him and would not let him go.

     God encourages His people to search for Him, saying in Jeremiah 29:13, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” This sounds like the woman described above. Searching, even at the possible risk of life. We are also encouraged to look to Jesus in our lives. Hebrews 12:2 says, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Look for Him. Seek out where He is. Prefer the people that are His. Search with undivided loyalty. Let not any worldly attraction take His place. This equates to the woman in Song of Solomon.

But, we may turn our ways in directions that are not toward Him. The woman in the Song of Solomon searched in the broad ways and in the streets of the city. Jesus taught that the broad way leads to destruction. It is the way that many people take. It is the world’s way. It is appealing and attractive. But Jesus is not there. Neither did the searching woman find her beloved there. Hebrews 13:13, 14 tells us, “Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” Jesus cannot be found in the streets of the city either. He is found outside the gates, away from the world’s influence. That is where we can find Him.

As noted before, the book of Song of Solomon is about the love between a man and a woman. Ephesians 5:32 teaches us that marriage represents the relationship between Jesus Christ and the church. Jesus Christ is the one whom our souls love. We must be taken up with Him, and trust Him and lean on Him in everything that comes our way. The Westminster Catechism includes an oft quoted question with its answer, “What is the chief and highest end of man?”, “Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.” The search that the woman made parallels this question and answer. Her great desire was for her beloved, and to be with him forever.

Speaking of Jesus, 1 Peter 1:8, 9 reminds us, “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” Having found her beloved, the woman in the Song of Solomon held him, and would not let him go. So it should be with us. Jesus is altogether lovely. He is more precious than gold. And, He is worthy of our full affection and attention. We are to take Him with us into our daily responsibilities. He is God. His guidance and wisdom in every matter is available and invaluable. He is available to help in time of need, and time of blessing. In this way, we are on a good start toward glorifying God and fully enjoying Him forever! Avoid the ways of the world. Search for Him with all your heart! Do not let Him go!

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!

Refrain

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Refrain (Helen H. Lemmel)

“O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!”

The book of Deuteronomy is a recounting by Moses of the things that happened to the Israelites, and what they were taught and commanded by the LORD, from when they left Egypt until their arrival at the Promised Land. Moses was not going to go with them over Jordan, his death is told at the end of the book. So, he takes up this historical review; Moses’ last testament to them of God’s glorious works on their behalf.

In Deuteronomy 5 Moses reviews with them the awe-inspiring day, first recorded in Exodus 19 and 20, when the Israelites saw God, and heard His voice. It was at Mount Horeb when the LORD spoke to them the Ten Commandments. Moses repeated those commandments in Deuteronomy 5, and then went on to relate something else that happened that day.

Exodus 20 tells that afterward the Israelites asked Moses that they be kept from hearing and seeing God. The sight was so terrible that they knew they couldn’t bear to hear His voice any more. They wanted Moses to talk with the LORD, and then tell them what He said. They promised to do whatever the LORD commanded them to do. In Deuteronomy 5 Moses tells of his conversation with the LORD concerning that request.

In the verse prior to the one above, the LORD commends the people for their request. And then came verse 29. There is something in this verse that is not seen in too many other places in God’s Word. It is as if you can hear the LORD’s heart, “O that there were such an heart in them…” They had promised that they would obey Him, but He knew better. He spoke of what He wanted for His people, Israel, “…that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always…” even knowing that they would turn their back on Him. Not long after, they were worshipping a golden calf, directly violating the very first commandment they ever heard God speak. “O that there were such an heart in them…” This was not a desperate lament. God was not wringing His hands and wondering what He would do next. He wasn’t at a loss. In fact, He had a plan that was in place even before He created the earth.

In 2 Samuel 14 an interesting story is told. King David was estranged from his son Absalom because Absalom tried to take the kingdom from his father. Through a series of events a woman went to King David to appeal for Absalom. She said to David, in part, “For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.” Her point was that God does not favor one person over another, yet He put in place a plan by which (as the Hebrew expresses it) those that are cast out of His presence are not cast out of His presence. She encouraged David to do the same.

This incredible insight concerning God goes with God’s words in Deuteronomy 5. It tells of a plan devised by God to fulfill His desire for His people. Though Israel, and, in fact, all of mankind, turned their back on God, and were thus banished from His presence, yet He devised a way for all of us to be accepted in His presence, through the sacrifice of the LORD Jesus Christ. He reconciled mankind with God. Jesus executed the plan by which sinners are allowed into God’s presence. Those who take His sacrifice for themselves are declared righteous before God, and though at one point were banished from His presence because of their sin, they are not expelled from Him forever. And, thereby have a heart to fear God and obey His commandments always.

Romans 8:3,4 puts it this way, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the working of the Spirit in a believer’s life, God’s heart cry in Deuteronomy 5 is fulfilled in us. Our hearts are right with Him, we fear Him, we obey His law, and we will be eternally well.

I saw the cross of Jesus,
When burdened with my sin;
I sought the cross of Jesus
To give me peace within;
I brought my sins to Jesus,
He cleansed me by His blood;
And in the cross of Jesus
I found my peace with God.

I love the cross of Jesus,
It tells me what I am—
A vile and guilty creature
Saved only thro’ the Lamb;
No righteousness or merit,
No beauty can I plead;
Yet in the cross of Jesus
My title there I read.

I clasp the cross of Jesus
In every trying hour,
My sure and certain refuge,
My never failing tower;
In every fear and conflict,
I more than conqu’ror am;
Living, I’m safe—or dying—
Thro’ Christ the risen Lamb. (George Mueller)

“And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.”

Students of the Bible will find these words familiar. They remind of ones found in the books of 1 Corinthians and in the Revelation. Like many prophecies in the Old Testament, these words have been fulfilled, and are yet to come.

The first promise is the destruction of the covering cast over all the people, the vail spread over all nations. Both phrases describe the same thing. In the tabernacle, a vail was hung before the Holy of Holies, in which was placed the ark of the covenant. Nobody except the high priest was allowed to go into the Holy of Holies. Only once a year was he allowed to go in. The book of Hebrews says that this showed that the way into the presence of God was not yet revealed (Hebrews 9:8).

When the LORD Jesus Christ died on the cross, He shouted, “It is Finished!” and the vail in front of the Holy of Holies was torn in two, from the top to the bottom. Upon Jesus’ death that vail was torn from above. Thus, the way into the Holy of Holies, God’s presence, was now made available. This all happened because of the sacrifice of the LORD Jesus Christ. This is the first fulfillment of this promise in Isaiah 25.

Philippians 2 teaches that the day is coming when all nations will see Jesus for Who He is. The hidden things of God will be revealed, and every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father. In that day the vail concerning Who Jesus is will be removed from before all nations; all will acknowledge Him as Lord. This is the future fulfillment of this promise in Isaiah 25.

Next, we read in Isaiah 25 that He will swallow up death in victory. This, too, has a dual fulfillment. Through the sacrifice of the LORD Jesus Christ, death has been defeated. Our sin, which held us in eternal death, was forgiven. Those who have the LORD Jesus Christ as their Savior are assured of eternal life. Those who don’t are assured of eternal death. Eternal death has been swallowed up in victory for those that have received eternal life.

Certainly, physical death has not stopped. But, a day is coming when the specter of physical death will also be swallowed up in victory. A glimpse of that is seen in the resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ. His death was surely swallowed up in the victory of resurrection. He is called the firstfruits of them that are resurrected. This means that His resurrection is not the only one. Neither will it be the last! His was simply the first.

The third promise in Isaiah 25 is that God Himself will wipe away tears from off all faces. For those that have the LORD Jesus Christ as their Savior this is true in many ways. God’s presence and comfort are promised to us in the trials of life. God is called faithful. He goes through all of our trials with us.

But one day, in God’s eternal presence, tears will be wiped away, and nothing will be left except eternal joy, as promised in the book of Revelation. While tears are still shed on this earth for now, at the coming of the LORD Jesus Christ a new government will be established with Jesus as head. Then, there will be a new heaven and new earth. Old things will be passed away including tears and pain and sorrow (Revelation 21:4).

The last promise in Isaiah 25 is that He will take away the rebuke of His people from off all the earth. Sin is a rebuke to all people. When the LORD Jesus Christ came, the curse of sin was taken away in His sacrifice on the cross. The wrath of God due to all mankind for their sinful nature, and the resultant sin, was poured out on Jesus. Those who know Jesus as Savior are no longer under God’s rebuke.

Meanwhile, those who are God’s people endure the rebuke of the world, which rejects Jesus and God. God’s people suffer for their faith in God in many ways, even cruelly, at the hands of those that reject Him. But, the day is coming when that rebuke will be done away, too. He promises that He will take it away from off the whole earth. In that day, all of God’s children will be seen for who they are, and God will be glorified!

Finally, Isaiah 25 says that the LORD has spoken these things. His Word is sure. The Bible says that it is impossible for Him to lie. The things described in Isaiah 25:7, 8 have and will come to pass because they are God’s Word. He will perform what He promised, as noted in the beginning of verse 7. For those that are God’s these verses are a great assurance. For those that aren’t, here is a great warning, to be ignored at great peril. Either way, these promises have come to pass, and will come to pass. God has promised.

Standing on the promises of Christ my king,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

Refrain

Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.

Refrain (R. Kelso Carter)

“But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.”

     We are encouraged in many scriptures to remember things. We are to remember the LORD and His afflictions, death, burial, and resurrection when we worship, “This do in remembrance of me.” Through his second epistle, Peter writes to help his readers to keep certain things in remembrance. Remembering God, Who He is, and what He has done is vital.

     The author of Hebrews tells his readers to call to remembrance their afflictions. This is not what we want to remember. We would rather forget them. In context, the writer wants them to recall where they had been in their lives. He was concerned that they were in danger of leaving their faith, and returning to previous beliefs. He tells them in verse 35, “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.” They were in a position of confidence before God, and he didn’t want them to leave it behind. So, he told them to remember what they had endured when they first trusted in Christ.

     The author speaks of enduring a great fight of afflictions. This is more than snide remarks, but includes the full range of things Christians endure, including ridicule, shunning, torture, and even death. His readers had not yet endured death. But, they had endured a great fight of many other afflictions. The writer tells them that the reason they endured such things was because they were illuminated, or made to see. Using the same word, Paul told the Ephesians 1:18-20, “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places…” Their illumination was in the things of God through Christ. And because of this they “…were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions…” and they “… became companions of them that were so used.”

     The term gazingstock has the idea of being on stage. Someone who is on stage is the center of attention. Every action they take is observed and noticed. Everything that happens to them is seen by the audience, and evokes emotion. The Hebrews were put in the position of being gazingstocks because they were followers of the LORD Jesus Christ. Because of their faith in Him, they endured reproaches and afflictions. And, as if they were on stage, everyone knew what they endured. Their situation was known by everyone that watched. And, it was all because they were followers of Jesus Christ.

     At the same time, because they were illuminated, they “…became companions of them that were so used.” The readers of this letter were not the only ones that were paying this price. Everywhere the gospel was preached those who believed endured the ridicule and disdain of those around them. This is true to this very day. In times of trial it is helpful to know that we are not alone. But there is more.

This was exactly what Jesus said would happen. In John 15:18 Jesus told His followers, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” And, in Matthew 5:11, 12, Jesus said, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” There is reward for the things that are endured for the Lord by His people. The writer wanted his readers to realize that the things they endured would be for God’s glory, and to their eternal benefit.

But, the writer was warning his readers not to turn away from their standing before God through Jesus Christ. Their afflictions were because they were His, and they have the sure and certain hope of spending eternity with Him. Hebrews 10:34 continues, “… knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.” God sees and knows what His people endure. Their reward will be great. Trust God!

Blessèd are they that for His sake

Are persecuted and reviled;

Our Savior’s love a Heav’n can make,

When storms of earth are fierce and wild.

O, thoughts of Him who bore the cross,

Should teach our hearts to bear with joy

Their burdens, tho’ in pain and loss,

Whatever ills of earth annoy!

Whatever ills of earth annoy!

Blessèd are they!
Blessèd are they!

 

Blessèd are they that for His sake

Are persecuted and reviled;

May nothing here our courage shake,

While on we bear His yoke so mild.

O, still be faithful to the last,

Untempted e’en amid despair!

Tho’, round the faithful, snares are cast,

Theirs is Heav’n’s kingdom, bright and fair.

Theirs is Heav’n’s kingdom, bright and fair.

Blessèd are they!
Blessèd are they! (George Cooper)