The Testimony of a Repentant Failure

There's no avoiding sin in the life of a believer. John affirms that any of us who deny sin are living in self-deception. 

1 John 1:8 (ESV) If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

So when we read the texts of God's judgment upon sinful believers in the Old Testament, a certain apprehension grips our hearts concerning our own imperfect behavior. What would happen to us? What would God do to discipline us? Would He treat us as Israel of old? No matter what might befall us in the Lord's discipline, there is a pattern outlined in Lamentations 5 that guides our prayer life back to the Father. 

Lamentations 5:1–5 (ESV) Remember, O LORD, what has befallen us; look, and see our disgrace! 2 Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our homes to foreigners. 3 We have become orphans, fatherless; our mothers are like widows. 4 We must pay for the water we drink; the wood we get must be bought. 5 Our pursuers are at our necks; we are weary; we are given no rest.

What do we read in this chapter? We read an exclamation of the trouble befallen Israel. The writer simply unpacks the results of sin and God's discipline upon them. And he does this while addressing the Lord. Now that is curious. Did the Lord forget? Was He not aware of what had befallen His people? Of course not, but this sincere description of their trouble reveals what I believe God wants from us in our prayers of repentance - honest frustration with what we've received from our own rebellious ways. How else can we learn and grow if we don't readily acknowledge the pain sin brings?

He continues:

Lamentations 5:12–15 (ESV) Princes are hung up by their hands; no respect is shown to the elders. 13 Young men are compelled to grind at the mill, and boys stagger under loads of wood. 14 The old men have left the city gate, the young men their music. 15 The joy of our hearts has ceased; our dancing has been turned to mourning.

It is a sad, compelling read. The nation has arrived at a joyless estate in exile, having been devoured by Babylon. 

Then, the internal state of affairs is enunciated:

Lamentations 5:17–18 (ESV) For this our heart has become sick, for these things our eyes have grown dim, 18 for Mount Zion which lies desolate; jackals prowl over it.

Every true believer suffers from heartache as a result of sin. Though they rebel, they realize they are not where they should be, and this weighs them down. The unbeliever is not bothered at all by his/her indulgence and rejection of God. They only hate sin's consequences. 

The writer then stops in verse 19 to reaffirm what every person needs to acknowledge in their dark moments: God is sovereign. 

Lamentations 5:19 (ESV) But you, O LORD, reign forever; your throne endures to all generations.

Even in our low estate brought on by our failures, He is the LORD. And we must meet Him there on His throne if we are to be restored ourselves. The Lord's hand is our hope even when our choices have made life hell. 

So, Lamentations leaves the ball in the Lord's proverbial court. Don't forget, don't forsake... restore!

Lamentations 5:20–22 (ESV) Why do you forget us forever, why do you forsake us for so many days? 21 Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may be restored! Renew our days as of old— 22 unless you have utterly rejected us, and you remain exceedingly angry with us.

Earlier, Lamentations 3 affirmed the goodness of the Lord to those who hope in Him. Here, the writer submits their estate to that God of everlasting faithfulness who will not abandon forever. In my self-appointed despair, take charge, oh LORD, for I am your creation, and You are all I have.