renewal
Water cooler conversation:
What was your biggest win this week? What was your biggest challenge?
Are you a cat person or a dog person?
Unpack the Message:
Background: Similar to the book of Job, Lamentations pictures a man of God reflecting on the impact of evil and suffering. While Job deals with personal tragedy, Lamentations is the story of Jerusalem’s devastation told through the eyes of a brokenhearted prophet Jeremiah. Jerusalem had fallen to the Babylonians, and the city was in ruins. Yet, amid his mourning, Jeremiah finds light in the darkness because he had placed his hope in the Lord who is ever waiting to forgive and restore His people.
Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” God is faithful; we are not. That’s why we need renewal. But, unfortunately, it’s human nature to slip into laziness or self-pity, so we need to re-align our hearts with God.
There are three kinds of renewal necessary for Christian growth. First, we must renew our strength. Isaiah 40:31 promises us, “Yet those who [a]wait for the Lord, will gain new strength; they will [b]mount up with [c]wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” It is those who wait for the Lord and depend on Him who will grow in strength and endurance. 2 Corinthians 4:16 says, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” The strength of the inner mans shows who God is.
Not only must we renew our strength, but we also need to renew our minds. Romans 12:1-2 challenges us, “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, [a]acceptable to God, which is your [b]spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this [c]world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may [d]prove what the will of God is, that which is good and [e]acceptable and perfect. Our bodies will fail us, but again, if we rely on God, He will renew our spirit.” We need to be wary of being conformed to the world rather than conforming to God’s truth. Our minds must be aligned with heavenly wisdom, not what’s popular or commonly accepted.
Human nature bends toward comfort and security, and when that’s lacking in our lives, it’s easy to become defeated and self-pitying. None of this is honoring to God, so we must ask Him to renew our spirit and ask, as did the Psalmist, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.” (Psalm 51:10-13)
Scripture teaches that it is possible to have control of our thoughts. How have your thoughts controlled different areas of your life?
“Lamentations” simply means the expression of grief or great sorrow. How should knowing that God sees and hears our lament change the way you see your circumstances?
Jesus lamented as He prayed in the garden (Matthew 26:36-56). How are prayers of lament also an expression of faith?
When do you find it hardest to sense Jesus with you? How can the promise that God’s mercies are new renew your strength, mind, and your spirit even in those darkest of days?
Read 2 Corinthians 10:5. Why is it imperative that we align our heart and our thoughts with Christ and place every thought under the authority of Christ?
Make a Move:
In what ways are you relying on yourself rather than surrendering to God? Ask Him to show you the areas of your life where you need renewal.
Prayer Prompt:
Father, forgive me for the times I have relied on myself rather than on You. I thank You for the promise of renewal when we surrender our heart, mind, and spirit to Your will and Your way. I ask You for discernment as I move forward in my life, and I ask for the courage to follow through when You lead me to do hard things. Amen