In the days of her affliction and homelessness Jerusalem remembers all her treasures that were hers since the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the adversary and no one helped her. The adversaries saw her, they laughed at her ruin. Jerusalem sinned greatly, therefore she has become an object of ridicule. All who honored her despise her because they have seen her nakedness; even she herself groans and turns away. (7-8)
In Lamentations, “the weeping prophet” remembers the splendor and glory of Jerusalem. There was a time when the city was known for strength, holiness, and the glory of God. Now, Jeremiah weeps because the city has become a laughingstock and the people of God have no one to blame but themselves. Those who were once known by His name, living in the city of God, have sinned greatly and are now paying the price. I can get why Jeremiah was so depressed. It is tough to see how sin can take people from the top to the very bottom. It is hard not to long for the good old days when things were better; if only one could go back and somehow change the course of current events.
This week, I have been connecting with old friends from a former place of ministry where Suzie and I have the fondest memories. They all miss us, and reconnecting with them has been a real gift, but each phone call has left me sad and broken. Over and over again, I hear stories of churches embroiled in controversy and once strong Christians falling by the wayside into sin or apathy. I would never compare these stories to the fall of Jerusalem because there is nothing to match the tragedy and heartbreak that Jeremiah describes in Lamentations. Yet, I can sympathize with Jeremiah’s heartache. The gospel ministry creates an invisible bond between you and the people you serve. This bond never goes away. It is a source of joy and celebration when they rejoice and a source of grief and lament when they hurt.
Watching people suffer or fall short when you have poured your blood, sweat, and tears into their spiritual development is hard. There is an unhealthy sense of “ownership,” where you wonder if you didn’t do enough while you were there or if things would have been different had you stayed. In fairness, Jeremiah had stayed to the bitter end, and he could not turn Jerusalem from its sin or ward off the certain judgment of God. At the end of the day, you do the best you can and pray that God will sustain them. In Jerusalem’s case, they suffered because of their own choices and sin. Yet, there was a promise of future restoration. I have been in ministry for more than 30 years and have seen my share of failures. Like Jeremiah, all I can do is cry for those who fall and point them to the path of restoration. I am realizing, though, that it never gets easier.
