QT 18/07/2025 Fri. Lamentations 5 The Prayer of a Broken People 破碎民族的祷告
QT 18/07/2025 Fri. Lamentations 5 The Prayer of a Broken People
READ http://www.esv.org/lam5
Scripture Focus:
Lamentations 5:21–22
[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. (ESV)
Why is Lamentations 5 still so negative after the hope in chapter 3?
Lamentations 3 is the theological and emotional climax of the book. There, the writer declares:
Lamentations 3:21–22
[21] But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: [22] The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; (ESV)
This is the mountaintop moment of faith, where the writer clings to the character of God in the midst of utter devastation.
But Lamentations doesn't end there. By the time we get to chapter 5, we’re pulled back into the grim reality of Jerusalem’s destruction. Why?
(1) Honest Faith Includes Lament
Lamentations 5 shows us that faith doesn’t totally erase pain in this present life. Even when we believe God is good (as in chapter 3), we may still walk through darkness. Lament is not the opposite of faith—it’s an expression of it. God's people cry out to Him because they trust He hears.
(2) Hope and Suffering Can Coexist
Chapter 3 is not a “happily ever after”—it’s a moment of light in a still-dark night. Lamentations 5 reflects the continued burden of loss, suffering, and the long wait for restoration. Sometimes, we glimpse God's mercy, but we’re still living in the ruins. This tension reflects real life: moments of hope amid ongoing struggle.
(3) The Prayer for Restoration Is Unfinished
The book ends with a desperate, uncertain prayer: “Restore us… unless You have utterly rejected us.” This unresolved ending invites the reader to long for a greater restoration—a future redemption. From a New Testament believer’s perspective, this anticipates the Second Coming of Christ, who brings full restoration and healing.
💬 Reflection:
God welcomes our broken prayers. Even when we feel abandoned, confused, or uncertain, we can still turn to Him. Lamentations teaches us that even the most faithful believers can feel despair—and that’s okay. What matters is that we keep crying out to the One who can restore.
🙏 Prayer:
“Lord, even when I cannot see Your hand, help me trust Your heart. In my ruins, teach me to hope. Restore me, renew me, and hold me close—even in the silence.” In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
QT 18/07/2025 星期五. 耶利米哀歌 5 破碎民族的祷告
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Lam/5/
经文聚焦：哀歌 5:21
21 耶和华啊！除非你真的弃绝我们，你向我们所发的怒气难收，不然，求你使我们归向你，好使我们回转过来；求你更新我们的日子，像古时一样。
为什么在第三章的希望之后，《哀歌》第五章仍然如此消极？
《哀歌》第 3 章是全书在神学和情感方面的高潮。在这里，作者宣称
哀 3:21-22
21 但我的心一想起下面这件事，我就有指望。22 耶和华的慈爱永不断绝，他的怜悯永不止息。
这是信心的山顶时刻，作者在极度的毁灭中紧紧抓住上帝的品格。
但《哀歌》并没有就此结束。当我们读到第五章时，我们又被拉回到耶路撒冷毁灭的严峻现实中。为什么？
(1) 诚实的信仰包括悲叹
《哀歌》第 5 章告诉我们，信仰并不能完全的在今生消除痛苦。即使我们相信上帝是良善的（如第 3 章），我们仍可能在黑暗中前行。悲叹不是信仰的对立面，而是信仰的一种表达方式。上帝的子民向祂呼求，因为他们相信祂会聆听。
(2)希望与苦难可以共存
第 3 章并不是 “从此过上了幸福的生活”—它是寂静黑夜中的片刻光明。《哀歌》第 5 章反映了失落、苦难和对恢复的漫长等待所带来的持续负担。有时，我们瞥见上帝的怜悯，但我们仍生活在废墟中。这种张力反映了真实的生活：在持续的挣扎中，有希望的时刻。
(3) 复兴的祷告尚未完成
这本书以一个绝望、不确定的祷告结束：“除非你真的弃绝我们，你向我们所发的怒气难收，不然，求你使我们归向你，好使我们回转过来”。这个悬而未决的结局让读者渴望更大的恢复--未来的救赎。从新约信徒的角度来看，这预示着基督的再来，祂将带来完全的恢复和医治。
反思：
上帝欢迎我们破碎的祷告。即使当我们感到被遗弃、困惑或不确定时，我们仍然可以转向祂。哀歌告诉我们，即使是最忠诚的信徒也会感到绝望--这没关系。重要的是，我们要继续向那位能使我们复原的神呼喊。
🙏祷告：
主啊，即使我看不见您的手，也请帮助我相信您的心。在我的废墟中，教我如何盼望。让我复原，让我重生，紧紧拥抱我--即使是在寂静中。奉耶稣的名祷告。阿门。
