This Is the Old Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book or two of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we’ll continue looking at the genres of Major and Minor Prophets.
What Is Jeremiah? This book Chronicles God’s prophecies to Judah. The prophet Jeremiah prophecies concerning both Judah’s future captivity captivity in Babylon and the promise of a new covenant.
What Is Lamentations? The book of Lamentations records Jeremiah’s expressions of grief, or laments, over the destruction of Jerusalem and Judah’s captivity in Babylon. It also includes an extended expression of hope in God’s faithful love.
How Jeremiah & Lamentations Fit Into the Story:
The new covenant passage in Jeremiah 31:31–34 is the longest Old Testament text quoted in the New Testament (Hb 8:8–12). This passage links God’s ancient promises to Eve (Gn 3:15), Abraham (Gn 12:1–3), and David (2Sm 7:16–19) with New Testament assurances that God in Christ grants believers new hearts, salvation, and fellowship with Him.
Lamentations invites us to meet God in the midst of our suffering and teaches us the language of prayer. Instead of offering a set of techniques, easy answers, or inspiring slogans for facing pain and grief, the book gives voice to our pain through lament, reorients our focus to the faithfulness of God, and affirms that He is able to sustain us.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do the promises of the new covenant in Jeremiah make space for lament in your relationship with God?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
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39 thoughts on "Jeremiah & Lamentations"
God listens to our prayers.
❤️
Thank you Lord for your steadfast patience with us!
Praise God that his mercy and grace are abundant. I am undeserving but Jesus Christ has paid the debt for sinners! May I not squander the grace and truth given to me but share the hope of Christ in every area of my life.
I am reminded that we are not bound by our past, by our missteps or mistakes. We have newness and redemption because of God’s unending mercy and Grace.
Thank you, sisters, for praying for me the other day. Jesus broke through and shone on me! Hallelujah! He is helping me see His extravagant goodness and drawing me close. Blessings on you all! Grace and peace and God’s presence.
This reading showed that we can go to God in all areas of our lives. It was good to remember that with Jesus indwelling us we will not perish and live forever. It brought back Romans 6:23 to me.
For question 2, what stuck out to me was Romans 11:32 and seeing that God knows that we’ll be disobedient at times and yet He still provides us mercy! What a wonderful verse!
I’m also glad that His mercies are new every morning (Lament 3:23). I have this verse on a sticky note in my room to remind me every day, because even when I know that I’ve repented and that my sin is forgiven, sometimes little things remind me of it. So just being filled with the blessing that every day is a new day, the old is gone, your sin is forgiven, etc is just so amazing.
Praying for you, Karrie. Thank you for sharing with us and letting us pray for you.
Wow SarahJoy I learn so much from you! That is such a good prayer at the end! You are so wise sister!!
I love that we can bring any and every emotion we are feeling to God. No emotion is too much for him to handle.
Loved the highlighted verse from Lamentations. God’s love is with us all the time.
Have a great day and week sisters.
Jacqui and Melanie, praying for you both! Kerry, praying for you and your children.
Jeremiah 31:33 – Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. What a blessing to be able to start over every morning. I pray that I’m mindful in this. That I do not abuse this opportunity to make new each day. To try my best with each day that I’m given.
How amazing that His mercies are new every morning! We can repent and not beat ourselves up. We don’t have to live condemned. How freeing is this! May we have a joyful day walking in His love and freedom! Praise Him!
My husband and I relocated to a whole new way of living (city to cows, varmints in the country), leaving 35 years of an amazing life where we raised our family. A new home, city, mode, all extremely wonderful, yet I find myself restless, lonely and in a desert. I find myself being ‘the new kid’ once again (I moved a lot growing up). Today’s readings allow me to relax, breathe and fall back into God during this wait. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
HA Ha, just read your post ERB, Indeed! YES! So good.
MAURA, I just read your comment!! I agree, SO much to glean here!! I am happy to take another day or two in Isaiah 49!!! May your day today be filled with joy and truth!!! Xoxo
Kaitlyn – praying and believing with you. May He give you His rest in this time even when your eyes are open as you lean into Him.
Hi Sisters, This morning I read CSB and NIV, as sometimes, I feel God gives me more in looking at two different interpretations. In NIV Lamentations 3:22-24 says “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.” I could just stay here, our sin does not consume us, because by His love, so beyond understanding, He would take our shame, insults, darkness and die to remove it from us and resurrect us from the death our sin brings. His compassion/mercy never fail, but are new every morning. Love this thought which sometimes daily He brings to mind, for if He can have such compassion with me, He does empower me by His Spirit to have it for others as well, even when they, like me do not deserve it. But God, laid down His life to give it, I can surely lay down my hurt, pride, whatever He calls me to. And, with the Helper, the Spirit do the same. This is my prayer, even as these days challenge me by hurtful words, that I am His and that is all I need to be.
Thank you for your prayer for all of us Irena, sweet to me. Charlie, yes, isn’t the Word so good. Melanie, praying He strengthens you in your health, heals you in body and Spirit. May you feel His love embracing you. Jacqui, praying your heart and eyes find their rest on Jesus and He overwhelms you with His light, His grace and His incredible love.
Dear ERB, I hope your Sunday was rest and joy and peace, maybe some iced tea, sunshine and worship songs. :)
I have to tell you, Isaiah 49, has so much in it. I think we could spend at least a week here. The beginning confused me, if it is speaking of Jacob, or Jesus. It seemed to become more clear in Isaiah 49:6 he says, “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” Jesus, Yes. It is so good and there is so much here. I love that God then says. Isaiah 7 This is what the Lord says, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel – to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: (here it seems to me, and I could be wrong, this is God speaking to Himself, Father to Son) Kings will bow down, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.” and then Isaiah 49:8-13 so much here that is so Good for my heart. I looked up Desiring God to understand the beginning and it pointed out that here, Jesus is to be the covenant and He is to be salvation, He doesn’t just bring it, He , Himself is it. Aww, I need to go. What do you think ERB, do you want to stay here another day maybe? I have spent so much time responding, I need to see if you have responded already. If you get a chance, you might look at Desiring God, I didn’t get very far on the commentary, but there is much there to glean. May He give us time with Him this day in the light of His glory and grace. Thanks for this time ERB, and my Sisters. What a blessing to me.
Dear SRT sisters,
Remember in the trials is when others are looking to you as well, of how we handle our trials and crisis. It’s a beautiful time to show our faith in God, and that the outcome is always glory to Him, the One that knows all, and encompasses all. It’s funny, has anyone like me….prayed use me God, let me shine your light to others, use me in a big way….and then instantly worry that you don’t want a tragedy to happen to be the way He uses you???! Or is that just me?! lol
I have tried to point to Him in my tragedies and sadness, even as you cry out in anger…that is okay and good, but you can be that example to all around you! There are so many hurting people and sadness, Let US be the light, the friend, the hand to help those in trials. I pray God to use me to represent YOU! Amen. All of your wonderful comments and prayer request are a great representative of God’s family and people!
Right now as I typed that, on my Youtube, Phil Wickam is singing “The Battle Belongs to You.” Exactly! Listen to it!
And now “Hope in Front of Me” by Danny Gokey, So Good! Songs, music, feels the soul with words you want to say, but can’t find.
Which also makes me think of a prayer request of fb this morning by Casting Crowns, their drummer was in a motorcycle accident yesterday on his way to church. He is in bad shape, pray for him and his family. Also if you could pray for my niece Anniston, she is is only 21, and an unexpected pregnancy with a guy she is not with. She has a long tough road ahead and is very worrisome, fearful, and has depression. I pray she will be strong and feel God’s love, and be surrounded by the right people to encourage her and give her love.
LOVED all of today’s scriptures!!! But Luke 22:19-20 particularly stood out to me… for some reason I had never noticed before that they enjoyed a supper together AFTER Jesus broke the bread.. (which makes sense, The Last Supper, duh!!) and when they drank in remembrance they did it AFTER supper!!! I love how they had fellowship (supper) in between the bread and the wine!!! SO powerful and an amazing example for each of us!!! I also love the way Christ worded these verses…SO applicable to our walks today!!! …Sometimes we need brokenness (& in that brokenness, thankfulness) in our lives so we can FULLY partake of the NEW covenant and ALL that Christ poured out for us, His ENTIRE life… so humbling, but such a good reminder!!! To God be all the Glory!!!! Amen.
MAURA, Isaiah 49… YES!! YES!!! YES!!!! My spirit leapt with thanksgiving, joy and assurance while reading this chapter!!! SO GOOD!!! I highlighted the ENTIRE chapter!! Haha!! So awesome to see how God works and how much He values us!!! *HUGE smile on my face* I am going to be praising Him ALL day!!!
Ugh. Jeremiah and Lamentations.
When the Bible gives you permission to pour out your heart with all of its pain and anguish. It’s the places in the Bible where I see people who are real that I am reminded that God is not surprised or put off by my big emotions. He loves the way I feel deeply. That’s part of His image in me.
1 & 2. I think the promise of a new covenant reminds me that in the midst of the pain in my world, my family’s world and in *the* world God is faithful to fulfill His promises. He has not left us to wander for eternity. He has said He will come back. As we live in the space of “not yet,” we can grieve the brokenness and cling to the hem of Jesus robe. I heard someone say, “that’s where the healing is.” ❤️
Break my heart for what breaks Yours. And keep me at Your feet because that’s where the healing is.
To me, today’s readings reemphasize that I am not righteous on my own strength and works. God continually has to fix things for me and fix me. I live in a broken world, and I am broken and everyone I love and care for are broken, too. Yet He keeps forgiving over and over and over again. His mercy is endless and His love is all encompassing. I am thankful that He pursues us as I am know my sinful nature regularly does not pursue Him.
Father, forgive me for repeatedly trying to live without you by fixing things myself. Thank you that you are always working for my redemption even though I don’t know it, and I don’t deserve it.
Amen @ Angie and Charlie!
@Melanie – praying for God’s will and His healing hand.
@Jacqui – praying that God will draw you closer and that you will see His working in your life (even when we don’t see it or feel it – He is working!) and praising God that you desire to know Him more!!
As a follower of Jesus Christ, trials and tribulations will come – as we read last week in Isaiah 43:1-3. Jeremiah knew all to well about them, he experienced great affliction, because of Israel’s sin. He describes the very sad state he was in, in Lamentations 3:1-19. He was at his lowest of lows. Have you ever been there? All hope seems lost. I know I have…and I don’t particularity wish to revisit that place! But then – in vs 21, it’s like the light all of a sudden comes on, and he can see much clearer! What turned on the light? He remembered! He thought back to all the times God had delivered him, all the times God was merciful, all the times God had been faithful! His conclusion – “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him.” (Lamentations 3:24) Right next to this verse I have a note that I wrote from another time that I had read this. It says, “don’t give up hope!”. When Jeremiah remembered God was faithful, he was able to go on. That’s what we need to do too. Remember, praise Him, and wait. The waiting is always the hardest part for me!!
But God. He makes everything beautiful – in His time (not mine!) Thanking God for this beautiful Monday morning, and praying that if any of my SRT sisters are in the midst of trials or afflictions, you will be encouraged and comforted by the fact that God is merciful, compassionate and faithful. He sees, He knows, He hears. He will “walk” you through. Have a blessed Monday everyone!
Good morning ladies, I just want u all to know I have relied on the SRT devotionals and daily comments for the past year to bring hope to my day. It’s been an extremely challenging year, one of the worst in my life. Today is my first day back to work after being shut down because of covid for the past 7 wks. I am nervous and overwhelmed going back to work. Please pray for me so that everything goes smoothly and my anxiousness subsides. Also, going through a separation as well. Please pray for my children. They are both so very angry with my husband and I pray that their hearts will soften toward him and they can repair their relationship with him. Thank u for always being here ladies. ❤️
The introduction of Lamentations in my study Bible asks “What causes your tears?” As much as I want to say my tears are always because of the sin and rejection of God by the people around me, too often they are selfish tears. Father, give me a heart focused on others, even when it hurts.
I love all these passages of the Lord’s unfailing covenantal love and faithfulness to His people (that’s us!!!). Suffering is part of the human experience, but God can and WILL use it to draw us closer to Him.
Ladies, I survived my weekend of not-really solitude! It was a blessing to sleep in, rest, read, workout, get work done, and go to church. I felt like God was speaking directly to me through the sermon. It was talking about God’s covenantal love and His pursuit for the hearts of His people. I see God actively tearing down idols from my life (two big idols being the “need” to be a in a relationship and MY plan for my life). I also see God bringing HEALING in one area I’ve prayed over for a long time (may He be praised!!!) The Lord is using this season for my good and while yes it’s still hard and I still struggle I’m definitely relying more on Him to sustain me than the things I used to run to in this world. I hope everyone has a great start to their Monday!
Such powerful scriptures.
Adam and Eve’s sin brought separation from God, both physically and spiritually. In the old covenant God would speak through the lives of specific people (Moses, Abraham, the prophets), but not everyone had the option for that intimacy. The new covenant, through Jesus, allows each of us that communicative relationship Adam and Eve had before the fall. We get to have God’s teaching in our hearts. We are His people, not by our own merit; by the promise of His true Word, His grace. His Spirit dwells within us, teaches us, guides, and fills.
Repentance is my part and even that is not possible without God.
The pastor Sunday had a picture I am going to try to describe to you of a person. On each side there were 3 boxes going down in order sequence. The boxes (in order) on the one side said:
FLESH (Presence of sin)
SLAVE (Power of sin)
DEATH (Punishment for sin)
On the opposite side were these 3 boxes:
HOLY SPIRIT (Presence of Christ)
CHILDREN (Our new name & identity in Christ)
LIFE (Relationship with Christ)
It reminds me so much of the scriptures we read today. We are no longer slaves in the flesh facing eternal death for our sin. When we repent, according to these scriptures (& many others), the Holy Spirit comes to indwell us; Christ’s presence fills us. We are no longer slaves but children. No longer are we dead in our sin but have been washed clean, living/alive in Christ.
This is the new covenant and ours through repentance thanks to our Father God’s love, Jesus Christ’s life given on Calvary, and the Holy Spirit who lives in us today. The only thing that is going to make that covenant any more precious and beautiful is that day when Jesus returns to bring His children Home, or He calls us out of this earthly life to enter our heavenly Home. Relationship now and forever. We are so amazingly loved and blessed.
Oddly, it is one thousand times more comforting to know I can lament while wrapped in God’s mercy, versus coping with pain by trying to grit my teeth and act tough—attempting to show the world that I only need myself. How sweet to be dependent on the Father!
We are given permission to lament. We should lament. The Old Testament shows us we cannot do this alone. We can’t keep the covenant. We should lament! We are given God’s grace, but we still sorrow over our fallen condition. True sorrow requires us to lean on Him more.
Praying for you all this morning. God please hear our prayer, help us to seek you with all our hearts in this loud noisy world. Help us to quiet ourselves and be heard by you. Lord, please heal your people, bring peace, bring wisdom. Give us today our daily bread. Give us respite from the problems and worries, give peace that passes all understanding. In Jesus Name.
This:
“Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish,
for his mercies never end.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness!
I say, “The Lord is my portion,
therefore I will put my hope in him.”
And this!
“He has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
What incredibly life-giving and hopeful verses these are! These verses remind me to look on each day as a new opportunity. Every single morning, we start fresh. Every single day, we can begin by being an instrument of his peace, sowing love, pardon, faith, hope, light, and joy. Every single day we can be determined to console, understand, and forgive. Every single day, we can show grace and mercy, as the Father shows grace and mercy to us.
Every single morning, day by day.
Praying for Melanie and Jacqui and the needs you have expressed. However, I also pray that you allow every experience, pleasant and unpleasant, draw you nearer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Praise His name always and glorify Him in all that you do today. Have a wonderfully blessed day, sisters!!
Please pray for healing in my body. Something is always wrong and I get tired of always battling something. I don’t want sickness to be my name I want to be healed by the blood of our savior Jesus. Great is His Faithfulness
Hi Sisters,
I read She Reads Truth every day, but this is only my second time commenting.
Please pray for God’s good work in my life. That I’d fix my eyes on Jesus and be free of every burden. Pray for the battle to break and for His promises fulfilled. Pray for encounters with Him where I see His love and kindness. Thank You, Jesus, that You will do it.
Abundant blessings on you! May your day be filled with joy and hope in Christ ❤️
Praying for you Jacquie. May God encourage you today.
1. Knowing that I have God’s faithful love and a daily supply of mercy gives me the confidence to lament knowing that there is nothing I can say thay will cause Him to turn away or stop loving me.
2. Jeremaih gives us the insight that only with changed hearts can we faithfully be in covenant with God.
KAITLIN – praying for Derrick’s body to accept the liver