Restore to Us YOURSELF!

15 

The joy of our hearts has ceased;

    our dancing has been turned to mourning.

16 

The crown has fallen from our head;

    woe to us, for we have sinned!

17 

For this our heart has become sick,

    for these things our eyes have grown dim,

18 

for Mount Zion which lies desolate;

    jackals prowl over it.

19 

But you, O Lord, reign forever;

    your throne endures to all generations.

20 

Why do you forget us forever,

    why do you forsake us for so many days?

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.

(Lamentations 5:15-22)

Jeremiah had seen it all when he saw Jerusalem fall.  His people had been defeated, humiliated, shamed and exiled. There was nothing left in the city. Where could he find anything to hope in? But. The pivotal word in the middle of the passage. But the LORD reigns. He reigns, not us. Always has, always will. What we need is for Him to Remember, Restore and Renew us, and the way He does so is by Himself. We must allow Him to do what only He can do. Only He can restore, renew, and reign. If we feel rejected by Him, it's because we have been living rejecting HIM.  Lord, restore us to YOU today.