Title: Fall From Grace/ Topic: Intercession

Today’s Reading: Lamentations 3; Lamentations 4; Lamentations 5; Revelation 15

Scripture: Lamentations 4:5,6
5 Those who once ate delicacies are destitute in the streets. Those nurtured in purple now lie on ash heaps.
6 The punishment of my people is greater than that of Sodom, which was overthrown in a moment without a hand turned to help her.

Observation: This entire chapter speaks about the fall of the people of Judah and Jerusalem from the grace of God. Once prosperous, they are now destitute. Jeremiah cries out to God about the punishment of the nation for their sins. Jeremiah is personally suffering, along with others who have remained obedient to God, even though they aren't a part of the problem. The point is, when an entire nation comes under the judgment of God, the righteous suffer along with everyone else, even though God does afford them some protection against the worst of what goes on.

Application: God calls us, as Christians, to pray and intercede for our government and for righteousness to prevail in the land. (1 Timothy 2:1-3 , 2 Chronicles 7:14 ). The passage in 1 Timothy makes it clear that this prayer is so that we may lead peaceable lives with no outside trouble. If I care about others, myself, my children and grandchildren, I need to take very seriously the call of God to be a prayer warrior who daily prays for the nation in which I live. If I don't, I become part of the reason that society deteriorates morally to the point where God will bring judgment. Then I will suffer along with everyone else.

Prayer: Father, sometimes I get so caught up with what is going on in my own personal life and the lives of those I love that I don't take time to pray for my country. Forgive me for my lack of love and my lack of responsibility in this regard. I know there are many sinful things we have allowed to become a part of our society for which you could bring serious judgment. I want to be faithful to answer the call to be a part of the solution by interceding for my land. Help me to motivate others to do the same. It's so important. Heal our land Lord. Forgive us for the shedding of innocent blood through abortion and violence. Bring people to repentance and belief in You. Soften their hearts and remove the blinders that the enemy has placed on the eyes of their hearts.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.