Lamentations 5:21 (ESV) — Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored! Renew our days as of old—

Few, if any, would say Lamentations if their favorite book in the Bible. But its 5 short chapters need to be read often. In the end, it is as hopeful as it is harrowing. But we need to be reminded over and over that God does not take sin lightly – even in His chosen ones.

Grace is not license TO sin, but freedom FROM sin.

Oh that our hearts would drink this in.

This short book with is unique acrostic arrangement was composed so as to aid the readers in memorizing it. Not that they might remain forever shameful, but that they might be forever warned. To be reminded over and over of the effects of sin. To see it in all of its destructive wretchedness.

Temptation makes sin look so attractive, but it ALWAYS ends in hideous pain and torment. No one imagines when they try to steal some fleeting but forbidden dainty that it is so full of poison as to bring destruction even into the lives of our children and grandchildren. But it is so. God does not warn us against it to rob of some joy, but to keep us from the result, and to direct us to true, lasting, divine joy. To find our joy in Christ Jesus and His redeeming grace.

Prov. 10:22 “The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” The PRETENDED blessings of the world, make us bankrupt, and are shot through and through with nothing but sorrow.