The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Lamentations 3:22-40, “The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
24 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore, I have hope in Him.”
25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.
26 It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the LORD.
27 It is good for a man that he should bear the yoke in his youth.
28 Let him sit alone and be silent since He has laid it on him.
29 Let him put his mouth in the dust, perhaps there is hope.
30 Let him give his cheek to the smiter, let him be filled with reproach.
31 For the Lord will not reject forever,
32 For if He causes grief, then He will have compassion according to His abundant lovingkindness.
33 For He does not afflict willingly or grieve the sons of men.
34 To crush under His feet all the prisoners of the land,
35 To deprive a man of justice in the presence of the Most High,
36 To defraud a man in his lawsuit– of these things the LORD does not approve.
37 Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it?
38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both good and ill go forth?
39 Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins?
40 Let us examine and probe our ways, and let us return to the LORD.

Are you at all grieved when you hear people adamantly say that they do not believe in God? What is your internal reaction to such a statement? Do you simply toss them into a container marked “Ignorance”? Or do you possess a sense of sadness that apparently no one has reached them for the LORD?

Jeremiah viewed the LORD as his hope! Moreover, he viewed the LORD as everyone’s hope, if they will embrace Him as such. Verses 26-30 cite but some of the gracious powers the LORD grants to those who believe in Him. Then he encourages those who are smitten to “take it” without concern, even offering the other cheek to the smiter.

If the LORD causes grief to somone, He will have loving compassion –“abundant lovingkindness”– on them as well. It is not the LORD’s purpose ever to grieve those whom He has created. Moreover, He will never “deprive a man of justice” or “defraud a man,” who is bringing a cause into any court of law.

The LORD simply “speaks” and it comes to pass! Who else can do that? He verbally pronounces both good and bad on human beings, according to what they deserve. Thus, we had best examine ourselves quite thoroughly; for if we are living outside the LORD’s will, we ought to penitently get right and quickly return to Him. Where are you currently living? Think earnestly about it.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom