Wednesday Bible Study – Lamentations 3

Go to www.sjuhcrichmond.org and scroll down and select the yellow “Watch” button and then select the “Zoom link for services” button to join bible study or any service.

Bible Study October 29 Lamentations 3

Facilitator will be Elder Charlene Mills Watkins. See the notes for bible study below:

Lamentations 3 “Great Is Your Faithfulness”- God’s Mercy in the Midst of Disaster 

Read Lamentations 3: 1-66 and Reference Scriptures. Please include other translations in your reading, in addition to KJV(for example NIV, NLT, Message, and Amplified) 

Outline 

1. Opposed by the Lord 
2. (1-9) The one afflicted by the Lord(besieged, turned hand against me, shuts out my prayer) Ps. 51:8; Isa.38:13;Job 30:20 
3. (10-18) God an adversary in many ways(bear lying in wait, strength & hope perished) Job 19:27;Prov.23:16;Hosea 6:1;Job 7:20;30:9;Pr.20:17 
4. Rising hope in God’s help.(sinking soul, affliction & roaming) 

 1.(19-20) The sinking soul. 

2. (21-23) New mercies from a faithful God.(This I recall to mind,hope,”concerned but not consumed”, new mercies, compassions, faithfulness) 
3. (24-26) God’s goodness to the sinking soul(Lord is my portion,I hope in Him: seek Him,hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Ps. 119:57 4. (27-29) Hope for the silent soul. It is good to bear the yoke in youth,sit alone and keep silent.Ps.47:7;Jer.15:17. 
4. (30-36) The goodness of God even in justice.(give cheek to the one who strikes; For the Lord will not cast off forever:He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children. Ps.94:14;Eze.33:11;Hab.1:13;Isa.50:6;Mt.27:27ff & 26:67-68;Lk.22:64 C. Prayers of humble trust in God 

(37-39) The God who cannot be opposed; Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that woe and well-being proceed?Why should a living man 

complain:Ps.33:9-11;Job2:10;Mic.7:9 

2. (40-47) Humbly turning back to God. (search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord;You have made us an offscouring and 

refuse.Ps.119:59;Da.9:5;1Cor.4:13;Isa.24:17-18 

3. (48-51) Weeping over destruction.(eyes overflow with rivers of water:Lord from Heaven looks down and sees.Jer.14:17;Is.63:15 
4. (52-56) Praying for help under enemy(enemies hunted me down like a bird;I called on your name,O Lord. Ps.35:7;69:2 
5. (57-63) Thankful and confident of future help.(You drew near on the day I called You:Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul and seen how I am wronged and all their vengeance. Is.41:10;Ps.39:1
6. (64-66) Giving vengeance to God. (Repay them, Lord, according to the work of their hands; Your curse be upon them;In Your anger, pursue and destroy. Ps.28:4; Is.6:10 

Summary 

The book of Lamentations demonstrates the purpose and power of lament. It not only points to the destruction of Jerusalem, but also shows us how to pray when the dark clouds of suffering roll in. Through Christ we show the world what it means to be covered by grace, despite the hurts of this life. When suffering comes, Psalm 34:18 is a promise of God; “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” 

Reasons to Read and Study Lamentations 

1. Lamentations displays the severity of sin and the holiness of God. We have reasons to lament. 
2. Lamentations gives the Church a voice in suffering. Lament fills the gap. 3. Lamentations provides hope. It matters how we respond when everything falls apart. 
3. Lamentations doesn’t end with resolution. Lamentations reminds us that God is good and faithful when our circumstances suggest He is not. 

4 lessons from Lamentations About Suffering 

1. God will bring us to desperate places. God doesn’t waste desperate places. 2. God is merciful and draws His children to repentance. God does not leave us in our suffering. 
2. God is patient with our response to suffering. Remembering the truth of God’s faithfulness gives us hope. 
3. God restores. Whatever the suffering season you are facing, God walks with you. He does not leave us without a way out, without hope, and without His peace.