QT 17/07/2025 Thu. Lamentations 4 When Glory Departs: Hope in the Ashes 当荣耀离去：灰烬中的希望
QT 17/07/2025 Thu. Lamentations 4 When Glory Departs: Hope in the Ashes
READ http://www.esv.org/lam4
Scripture Focus: "The precious sons of Zion, worth their weight in fine gold, how they are regarded as earthen pots, the work of a potter’s hands!" – Lamentations 4:2 (ESV)
Devotion:
Lamentations 4 is one of the most heartbreaking chapters in Scripture. The prophet Jeremiah paints a grim picture: noble sons reduced to beggars, once-beautiful women turned away in shame, the temple destroyed, and God’s hand heavy on His people. It’s a sobering account of what happens when a nation turns from God.
The suffering in this chapter is not random—it is God’s judgment. Zion, once radiant with God's presence, is now desolate. The golden city has lost its shine. Why? Because of sin—persistent, unrepentant, systemic sin from top to bottom, from priests to princes, from the sanctuary to the streets.
Reflection:
As we read this chapter, we’re tempted to mourn with Jeremiah and shake our heads at ancient Judah. But let’s pause. We, too, are prone to wander. We, too, forget God’s holiness and flirt with idols. The decline of Jerusalem warns us: sin always destroys, and God takes it seriously.
But here’s the grace: Lamentations exists because God allows us to grieve—and points us to hope. Chapter 4 doesn’t end in restoration, but the book as a whole does. Even as the people face devastation, God’s covenant mercy remains.
In Christ, we see the ultimate reversal of Lamentations 4. Jesus, the true "precious Son of Zion," was treated as common, broken like clay, cast out like a leper. He bore the wrath we deserved. His suffering was greater than Jerusalem’s, yet through it, He secured our peace. Where Zion was abandoned, Jesus was forsaken. Where the people were shamed, Jesus was scorned—so that we could be restored.
Personal Application:
(1) Are there areas in your life where you've become spiritually numb or compromised? Lamentations reminds us that sin matters—and invites us to return to God with a broken spirit and a contrite heart.
(2) Do you feel like your spiritual "city" lies in ruins? Take heart. The same God who allowed the fall is the God who raises the dead. He is able to rebuild what sin has torn down.
(3) Look to Christ, the one who entered our suffering, bore our judgment, and gives us beauty for ashes.
Prayer:
Lord, I confess that I often forget how serious sin is. Help me not to treat lightly what cost You so much. Thank You for bearing my judgment in Christ. Where I see ruins in my life, bring restoration. Let Your mercy be new every morning, and let me never lose sight of Your holiness and Your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
QT 17/07/2025 星期四. 耶利米哀歌 4 当荣耀离去：灰烬中的希望
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Lam/4/
经文聚焦：锡安尊贵的众民，本来和精金一样贵重；现在怎么竟被看为瓦器，好像陶匠手中所作的呢？ - 哀歌 4:2
反省：
《哀歌》第 4 章是圣经中最令人心碎的章节之一。先知耶利米描绘了一幅残酷的画面：高贵的儿子沦为乞丐，曾经美丽的女人羞愧地离开，圣殿被毁，神的手重重地落在祂的子民身上。这是对一个国家背离上帝时所发生的事情的发人深省的描述。
本章中的苦难并非偶然，而是上帝的审判。锡安曾因神的同在而光芒四射，如今却一片荒凉。这座金城失去了光辉。为什么会这样？因为罪--从上到下，从祭司到王子，从圣所到街道，持续的、不悔改的、系统的罪。
学习：
当我们读到这一章时，我们很想和耶利米一起哀悼，对古老的犹大摇摇头。但让我们暂停一下。我们也容易迷失方向。我们也会忘记上帝的圣洁，与偶像调情。耶路撒冷的衰落警示我们：罪恶总是会摧毁一切，上帝会认真对待。
但这就是恩典：《哀歌》之所以存在，是因为上帝允许我们悲伤，并将我们引向希望。第四章并没有以恢复而结束，但整本书确实如此。即使人们面临毁灭，上帝立约的怜悯依然存在。
在基督身上，我们看到了《哀歌》第 4 章的终极反转。耶稣--真正的“锡安宝贵的儿子”--被当作普通人对待，像泥土一样破碎，像麻风病人一样被赶出去。祂承受了我们应得的愤怒。祂所受的苦难比耶路撒冷的更大，但祂通过这些苦难确保了我们的平安。在锡安被遗弃的地方，耶稣被抛弃。在人们蒙羞的地方，耶稣受到了蔑视--这样我们才能得到恢复。
个人应用：
(1) 在你的生活中，是否有一些地方在灵性上变得麻木或妥协了？哀歌提醒我们，罪是重要的，并邀请我们带着破碎的灵和痛悔的心回到神面前。
(2) 你是否觉得自己的属灵 “城市 ”已成为废墟？请放心。允许堕落的神也是使死人复活的神。祂能够重建被罪恶摧毁的一切。
(3) 仰望基督，他进入我们的苦难，承受我们的审判，让我们以灰烬换取美丽。
祷告：
主啊，我承认我常常忘记罪的严重性。求您帮助我，不要轻视您所付出的代价。感谢你在基督里担当了我的审判。在我生命中看到废墟的地方，求你使之复原。让您的怜悯每天早晨都是新的，让我永远不会忘记您的圣洁和恩典。奉耶稣的名，阿门。
