July 15

Introduction

Lamentations 3:25–57: Today’s reading reflects a communal lament. The people acknowledge that they have sinned and ask God to heed their prayers.

Today’s Key Verse: Lamentations 3:25

The LORD is good to everyone who trusts in him.

Reading

25 The Lord is good to everyone who trusts in him,
26     So it is best for us to wait in patience—to wait for him to save us—
27     And it is best to learn this patience in our youth.

28 When we suffer, we should sit alone in silent patience;
29     We should bow in submission, for there may still be hope.
30     Though beaten and insulted, we should accept it all.

31 The Lord is merciful and will not reject us forever.
32     He may bring us sorrow, but his love for us is sure and strong.
33     He takes no pleasure in causing us grief or pain.

34 The Lord knows when our spirits are crushed in prison;
35     He knows when we are denied the rights he gave us;
36     When justice is perverted in court, he knows.

37 The will of the Lord alone is always carried out.
38     Good and evil alike take place at his command.
39     Why should we ever complain when we are punished for our sin?

40 Let us examine our ways and turn back to the Lord.
41     Let us open our hearts to God in heaven and pray,
42     “We have sinned and rebelled, and you, O Lord, have not forgiven us.

43 “You pursued us and killed us; your mercy was hidden by your anger,
44     By a cloud of fury too thick for our prayers to get through.
45     You have made us the garbage dump of the world.

46 “We are insulted and mocked by all our enemies.
47     We have been through disaster and ruin; we live in danger and fear.
48     My eyes flow with rivers of tears at the destruction of my people.

49 “My tears will pour out in a ceaseless stream
50     Until the Lord looks down from heaven and sees us.
51     My heart is grieved when I see what has happened to the women of the city.

52 “I was trapped like a bird by enemies who had no cause to hate me.
53     They threw me alive into a pit and closed the opening with a stone.
54     Water began to close over me, and I thought death was near.

55 “From the bottom of the pit, O Lord, I cried out to you,
56     And when I begged you to listen to my cry, you heard.
57     You answered me and told me not to be afraid.

Reflect

What verses express hope and trust in the Lord? What verses in today’s reading resonate with you? What grieves your heart? What will you ask of God today?

Pray

Gracious God, you know my heart and have examined my ways. Trusting in your love and mercy, I turn to you with an open and humble heart and seek your forgiveness for the wrongs I have done. You hear my cries and comfort me with the assurance of your never-ending love and compassion. Amen.

And now, join us in praising God that audio Bibles are transforming lives in the Philippines. Gracious God, thanks to the generosity of Bible-A-Month Partners, over 17,000 people in the Philippines were reached with your Word last year. Through print and audio Bibles, church leaders are equipped to connect with people in cities, provinces, and remote tribal areas across the nation’s 7,000+ islands. Several church leaders have organized Bible learning groups so participants can listen to your Word in their heart language while following along in their new, printed Bibles. Thank you, Lord God, that your Word is providing the Filipino people with the ability to hear and understand the truth of the gospel message in their heart language. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Ezekiel 20:33–44: God punishes and forgives.