89 Forever, O Lord, your word
    is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
    you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand this day,
    for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
    I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
    for by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours; save me,
    for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
    but I consider your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
    but your commandment is exceedingly broad.
Mem
97 Oh how I love your law!
    It is my meditation all the day.
98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
    for it is ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
    for your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the aged,
    for I keep your precepts.
101 I hold back my feet from every evil way,
    in order to keep your word.
102 I do not turn aside from your rules,
    for you have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through your precepts I get understanding;
    therefore I hate every false way.
Nun
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
    to keep your righteous rules.
107 I am severely afflicted;
    give me life, O Lord, according to your word!
108 Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,
    and teach me your rules.
109 I hold my life in my hand continually,
    but I do not forget your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,
    but I do not stray from your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever,
    for they are the joy of my heart.
112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes
    forever, to the end.
 
Meditation
How do you finish this sentence? “The word of the Lord is ____________.” This section of the song of the Psalmist lifts the language of our soul to celebrate God’s word with all our lives.
 
Allow this elevated celebration of Scripture to deepen your desire to know God’s word:
 
The word of the Lord is:
forever fixed and faithful to all generations (89-90).
our delight and might through dark nights of the soul (92-93).
an exceedingly broad path (96).
a love for life and mediation (97).
sweeter than honey and the source of understanding (103-104).
a light unto my feet and a light unto my path (105).
our heritage (forever!) (111).
the joy of my heart (111).
 
The cost/ benefit analysis of seeing Scripture with such standards plays out, compelling worshippers to walk in the word of God. When we totally trust God’s word the believer will obtain wisdom (98), understanding (99, 104), life (107), heritage (111), hope (114), security (114), and safety (117). The wealth of the word is worth it!
 
The doorway for a deeper love for the Word is relationship with “the Word made flesh” (John 1:14) and the One who is the “fulfillment of the law” (Matthew 5:17-20), Jesus Christ. Jesus is the One who for “the joy” set before Him endured the cross (Hebrews 12:1-2) and this joy is you, the Church. When we know the affection our Lord has for us then our affection for the word of the Lord will deepen and our enjoyment of Him will grow.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Is there a difference between how you finished the sentence before and after meditating on the Psalmist’s celebration of Scripture?
 
-Which description of the word of the lord resonates the most in your life?
 
-How can the affection of your heart grow for God and His word? Ask Him to give you wisdom and direction to cultivate a deeper love for His word.
 
Key Verse
97 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.

Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel.2 Thus says the Lord:
“Learn not the way of the nations,
    nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens
    because the nations are dismayed at them,
3 for the customs of the peoples are vanity.
A tree from the forest is cut down
    and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman.
4 They decorate it with silver and gold;
    they fasten it with hammer and nails
    so that it cannot move.
5 Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field,
    and they cannot speak;
they have to be carried,
    for they cannot walk.
Do not be afraid of them,
    for they cannot do evil,
    neither is it in them to do good.”
6 There is none like you, O Lord;
    you are great, and your name is great in might.
7 Who would not fear you, O King of the nations?
    For this is your due;
for among all the wise ones of the nations
    and in all their kingdoms
    there is none like you.
8 They are both stupid and foolish;
    the instruction of idols is but wood!
9 Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish,
    and gold from Uphaz.
They are the work of the craftsman and of the hands of the goldsmith;
    their clothing is violet and purple;
    they are all the work of skilled men.
10 But the Lord is the true God;
    he is the living God and the everlasting King.
At his wrath the earth quakes,
    and the nations cannot endure his indignation.
11 Thus shall you say to them: “The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens.”
12 It is he who made the earth by his power,
    who established the world by his wisdom,
    and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.
13 When he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens,
    and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth.
He makes lightning for the rain,
    and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses.
14 Every man is stupid and without knowledge;
    every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols,
for his images are false,
    and there is no breath in them.
15 They are worthless, a work of delusion;
    at the time of their punishment they shall perish.
16 Not like these is he who is the portion of Jacob,
    for he is the one who formed all things,
and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance;
    the Lord of hosts is his name.
17 Gather up your bundle from the ground,
    O you who dwell under siege!
18 For thus says the Lord:
“Behold, I am slinging out the inhabitants of the land
    at this time,
and I will bring distress on them,
    that they may feel it.”
19 Woe is me because of my hurt!
    My wound is grievous.
But I said, “Truly this is an affliction,
    and I must bear it.”
20 My tent is destroyed,
    and all my cords are broken;
my children have gone from me,
    and they are not;
there is no one to spread my tent again
    and to set up my curtains.
21 For the shepherds are stupid
    and do not inquire of the Lord;
therefore they have not prospered,
    and all their flock is scattered.
22 A voice, a rumor! Behold, it comes!--
    a great commotion out of the north country
to make the cities of Judah a desolation,
    a lair of jackals.
23 I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself,
    that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.
24 Correct me, O Lord, but in justice;
    not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.
25 Pour out your wrath on the nations that know you not,
    and on the peoples that call not on your name,
for they have devoured Jacob;
    they have devoured him and consumed him,
    and have laid waste his habitation.
 
Meditation
God’s grace invites you to replace your anxiety and fear with faith and fruitfulness by totally trusting in Him.
 
Idols of our heart are revealed during tough times, what we turn to for strength, security, status, hope, and healing. “The (ungodly) nations” (2, 25) trust in “vain” things (3), mist that is here today and gone tomorrow. In contrast, God is eternal and His love is steadfast in every season.
 
Jeremiah fleshes out four contrasts between idols and the one true God: Idols are impotent like a scarecrow but God is great in might (2-7). Idols are “stupid and foolish” man-made objects but God is the eternal King who made all things (8-10). Idols will disappear and perish but the eternal Lord established the earth by His word (11-13). Idols are worthless works of delusion but the Lord is the worthy God of His people (14-17). God grieves how His people choose to trust the idols of the nations (18-22) and the prophet offers a prayer of hope (23-25). God is worthy of our total trust!
 
Ultimately idols of our hearts, the gods of the nations, need our focus to survive. The truth is we need to focus on and trust the Lord for survival! Jeremiah sums it up well later in the book: “Blessed is the person who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water that sends out its roots by the stream and does not fear when heat comes… and is not anxious in the year of drought” Jeremiah 17:7-8)
 
Richly Dwelling
-Where does your heart trust during tough times? Are you anxious and fearful?
 
-Which of the four contrasts between the gods of the nations and the one true God stand out to you the most?
 
-You need to trust in the Lord to survive seasons of struggle. How can you more fully trust Jesus by turning from the vain idols of our culture to totally cast your cares onto Him?
 
Key Verse
10 But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King.

This is the number of the people of Israel, the heads of fathers' houses, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and their officers who served the king in all matters concerning the divisions that came and went, month after month throughout the year, each division numbering 24,000:
2 Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division in the first month; in his division were 24,000. 3 He was a descendant of Perez and was chief of all the commanders. He served for the first month. 4 Dodai the Ahohite was in charge of the division of the second month; in his division were 24,000. 5 The third commander, for the third month, was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the chief priest; in his division were 24,000. 6 This is the Benaiah who was a mighty man of the thirty and in command of the thirty; Ammizabad his son was in charge of his division.[b] 7 Asahel the brother of Joab was fourth, for the fourth month, and his son Zebadiah after him; in his division were 24,000. 8 The fifth commander, for the fifth month, was Shamhuth the Izrahite; in his division were 24,000. 9 Sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira, the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; in his division were 24,000. 10 Seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, of the sons of Ephraim; in his division were 24,000. 11 Eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites; in his division were 24,000. 12 Ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer of Anathoth, a Benjaminite; in his division were 24,000. 13 Tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai of Netophah, of the Zerahites; in his division were 24,000. 14 Eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah of Pirathon, of the sons of Ephraim; in his division were 24,000.15 Twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel; in his division were 24,000.
Leaders of Tribes16 Over the tribes of Israel, for the Reubenites, Eliezer the son of Zichri was chief officer; for the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah; 17 for Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; for Aaron, Zadok; 18 for Judah, Elihu, one of David's brothers; for Issachar, Omri the son of Michael; 19 for Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; for Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel; 20 for the Ephraimites, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; for the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah; 21 for the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; for Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner; 22 for Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel. 23 David did not count those below twenty years of age, for the Lord had promised to make Israel as many as the stars of heaven. 24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to count, but did not finish. Yet wrath came upon Israel for this, and the number was not entered in the chronicles of King David.
25 Over the king's treasuries was Azmaveth the son of Adiel; and over the treasuries in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah; 26 and over those who did the work of the field for tilling the soil was Ezri the son of Chelub; 27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite; and over the produce of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite. 28 Over the olive and sycamore trees in the Shephelah was Baal-hanan the Gederite; and over the stores of oil was Joash. 29 Over the herds that pastured in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite; over the herds in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai. 30 Over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; and over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite. Over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. 31 All these were stewards of King David's property.
32 Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, being a man of understanding and a scribe. He and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni attended the king's sons. 33 Ahithophel was the king's counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend. 34 Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar. Joab was commander of the king's army.
 
Meditation
God’s promises are for Christians, our “children, and those who are far off” (Acts 2:39). Christians must generationally steward God’s grace to our families and through our family of faith in discipleship.
 
David holistically prepares the heritage he is leaving the next generation. David has prepared the materials and administration for building and managing the temple. Now he turns his planning to resources and workers needed to support those building and working in the temple.
 
David’s planning and preparation is for the “sar,” the same Hebrew word translated in different forms of leadership. David gives direction to commanders (1-15), leaders of tribes (16-24), stewards of the king (25-31), and counselors (32-34). The “sar” are the “leaders of Israel” David called together with the “priests and Levites” in 23:2 and the leaders of the large assembly in 28:1.
 
All of life is sacred and should be stewarded for the glory of God. These military, economic, family, and wise leaders will serve to support God’s work and workers who will build the temple. David’s passion for God’s glorious house necessitates a holistic approach to considering the heritage he leaves the next generation.
 
We have an opportunity to disciple the next generation, living all of life discerning God’s direction for His glory. How we meditate on and live out God’s word, how we use money, how we steward material things, how we submit to authority, how we seek council, etc... will be imitated.  Leaving a holistic heritage is a privilege we get to embrace.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Have you prayerfully considered what you are leaving the next generation of your family and the next generation of disciples in your family of faith?
 
-What is the significance of David’s organization of the workers and resources to support the work and workers building the temple?
 
-Jesus is King and He gives all of us talents to steward. Where do you need to more prayerfully and faithfully respond to God’s grace by holistically stewarding for God’s glory?
 
Key Verse
31 All these were stewards of King David…

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When either a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord, 3 he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar made from wine or strong drink and shall not drink any juice of grapes or eat grapes, fresh or dried. 4 All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is produced by the grapevine, not even the seeds or the skins.
5 “All the days of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. Until the time is completed for which he separates himself to the Lord, he shall be holy. He shall let the locks of hair of his head grow long.
6 “All the days that he separates himself to the Lord he shall not go near a dead body. 7 Not even for his father or for his mother, for brother or sister, if they die, shall he make himself unclean, because his separation to God is on his head. 8 All the days of his separation he is holy to the Lord.
9 “And if any man dies very suddenly beside him and he defiles his consecrated head, then he shall shave his head on the day of his cleansing; on the seventh day he shall shave it. 10 On the eighth day he shall bring two turtledoves or two pigeons to the priest to the entrance of the tent of meeting, 11 and the priest shall offer one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering, and make atonement for him, because he sinned by reason of the dead body. And he shall consecrate his head that same day 12 and separate himself to the Lord for the days of his separation and bring a male lamb a year old for a guilt offering. But the previous period shall be void, because his separation was defiled.
13 “And this is the law for the Nazirite, when the time of his separation has been completed: he shall be brought to the entrance of the tent of meeting, 14 and he shall bring his gift to the Lord, one male lamb a year old without blemish for a burnt offering, and one ewe lamb a year old without blemish as a sin offering, and one ram without blemish as a peace offering, 15 and a basket of unleavened bread, loaves of fine flour mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers smeared with oil, and their grain offering and their drink offerings. 16 And the priest shall bring them before the Lord and offer his sin offering and his burnt offering, 17 and he shall offer the ram as a sacrifice of peace offering to the Lord, with the basket of unleavened bread. The priest shall offer also its grain offering and its drink offering. 18 And the Nazirite shall shave his consecrated head at the entrance of the tent of meeting and shall take the hair from his consecrated head and put it on the fire that is under the sacrifice of the peace offering. 19 And the priest shall take the shoulder of the ram, when it is boiled, and one unleavened loaf out of the basket and one unleavened wafer, and shall put them on the hands of the Nazirite, after he has shaved the hair of his consecration, 20 and the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the Lord. They are a holy portion for the priest, together with the breast that is waved and the thigh that is contributed. And after that the Nazirite may drink wine.
21 “This is the law of the Nazirite. But if he vows an offering to the Lord above his Nazirite vow, as he can afford, in exact accordance with the vow that he takes, then he shall do in addition to the law of the Nazirite.”
Aaron's Blessing22 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,
24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
27 “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”

​Meditation
God’s grace gets personal as God’s people embark for the promised land. A wilderness stands in between believers and the fullness of God’s promises. God’s intimate love is revealed through His word of blessing.
 
Some people respond to God’s promised presence and blessing by living sacrificially set apart (1-21). Men and women who voluntarily took a Nazarite vow lived in radical self-denial, declaring the sufficiency of God in all their lives. God is more satisfactory than anything else, so Nazarites abstained from fruit of the promise land. God is more treasured than comfort, so Nazarites lived with sweeping self-discipline. God’s sufficiency is seen in detailed distinction of a holy life.
 
All people need God’s blessing. God blesses each of His people, targeting the whole assembly by focusing on individuals. The repeated “you” in the verses are all singular. God wants His blessing to fall on you personally! And through you God’s blessings are expansive, from God’s people to all nations.
 
The Lord is the source of blessing (24, 26, 26) and His personal blessing is practical for people wandering in the wilderness:
As a good Shepherd God promises to keep His people.
As a merciful king God declares forgiveness, promises grace, and offers peace.
As a loving father God puts His name on His people.
 
We wander in the wilderness of a fallen world, embracing the foretaste of the fulness of God’s blessings in Jesus.  In Jesus is every blessing of God (Ephesians 1:3) and fuel for our faith to live sacrificially set apart.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Is God Himself sufficient for you? Is Jesus enough? Who or what do you look to for the blessings that can only be found in God?
 
-Why is it significant the blessing of God has it’s source in the person of God? What does this reveal about where our satisfaction should be found?
 
-How can you grow in satisfaction in Christ, declaring He is enough. His grace is sufficient for your soul? Be specific.
 
Key Verse
23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,
24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. 2 For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a second section[c] called the Most Holy Place,4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, 7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper,10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.
Redemption Through the Blood of Christ11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come,[e] then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify[f]for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our[g] conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. 16 For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established.17 For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. 19 For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” 21 And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
23 Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
 
Meditation
The incarnation of God cultivates deep celebration as it heightens anticipation. Christ has come and Christ will come again! Love moved into the neighborhood with grace and mercy manifest in Christ’s first coming. Hope will be solidified and all will be sanctified in Christ’s second coming. God’s past faithfulness should firm our faith, sure of God’s future grace.
 
“Appearance” is the word the author of Hebrews uses to celebrate God’s presence both past, present, and future. Jesus “appeared” as the great high priest who has once and for all entered the Holy Place on our behalf (1-12). The work of Jesus offers a better covenant through His better sacrifice (13-23). We can be sure of this because Jesus now “appears” in the presence of God on our behalf (24-25). The appearance of God demonstrates the profound faithfulness of God.
 
Just as Christ has appeared in the flesh to put away sin (26), we know He will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save all who trust Him (28). Jesus appeared in humility, taking the form of a servant to suffer for our sins. Jesus will appear in victory to save all who eagerly wait for Him.
 
God’s past faithfulness solidifies our faith in His future grace. Just as Christ’s appearance the first time made a way for believers to belong to a better covenant and access His holy presence by faith so Christ’s second appearance will bring heaven to earth and eliminate all evil, death, suffering, and sin. Christ has appeared! Christ will appear again!
 
Richly Dwelling
- Does God’s past faithfulness fuel your hope in His future grace? Why or why not?
 
-Do you “eagerly await” the second coming of Christ? Why or why not?
 
-Jesus will appear again to make all things right. Jesus will make all sad things become untrue. What are some specific ways His promised grace can give hope now?
 
Key Verse
26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Gather together, yes, gather,
    O shameless nation,
2 before the decree takes effect
    —before the day passes away like chaff--
before there comes upon you
    the burning anger of the Lord,
before there comes upon you
    the day of the anger of the Lord.
3 Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
    who do his just commands;
seek righteousness; seek humility;
    perhaps you may be hidden
    on the day of the anger of the Lord.
4 For Gaza shall be deserted,
    and Ashkelon shall become a desolation;
Ashdod's people shall be driven out at noon,
    and Ekron shall be uprooted.
 
5 Woe to you inhabitants of the seacoast,
    you nation of the Cherethites!
The word of the Lord is against you,
    O Canaan, land of the Philistines;
    and I will destroy you until no inhabitant is left.
6 And you, O seacoast, shall be pastures,
    with meadows[c] for shepherds
    and folds for flocks.
7 The seacoast shall become the possession
    of the remnant of the house of Judah,
    on which they shall graze,
and in the houses of Ashkelon
    they shall lie down at evening.

For the Lord their God will be mindful of them
    and restore their fortunes.
8 “I have heard the taunts of Moab
    and the revilings of the Ammonites,
how they have taunted my people
    and made boasts against their territory.
9 Therefore, as I live,” declares the Lord of hosts,
    the God of Israel,
“Moab shall become like Sodom,
    and the Ammonites like Gomorrah,
a land possessed by nettles and salt pits,
    and a waste forever.
The remnant of my people shall plunder them,
    and the survivors of my nation shall possess them.”
10 This shall be their lot in return for their pride,
    because they taunted and boasted
    against the people of the Lord of hosts.
11 The Lord will be awesome against them;
    for he will famish all the gods of the earth,
and to him shall bow down,
    each in its place,
    all the lands of the nations.
 
12 You also, O Cushites,
    shall be slain by my sword.
13 And he will stretch out his hand against the north
    and destroy Assyria,
and he will make Nineveh a desolation,
    a dry waste like the desert.
14 Herds shall lie down in her midst,
    all kinds of beasts;[d]
even the owl and the hedgehog[e]
    shall lodge in her capitals;
a voice shall hoot in the window;
    devastation will be on the threshold;
    for her cedar work will be laid bare.
15 This is the exultant city
    that lived securely,
that said in her heart,
    “I am, and there is no one else.”
What a desolation she has become,
    a lair for wild beasts!
Everyone who passes by her
    hisses and shakes his fist.
 
Meditation
Mercy reminds us, “The Lord is good to those who seek him” (Lamentations 3:25). Seeking the Lord leads to restoration, a gracious invitation to all who believe.
 
“Seek the Lord, all you humble… seek righteousness; seek humility…” is the plea of the prophet (3). These imperatives are corporate, intended for all of Israel to seek the Lord through gathering together (1-2). The imperatives are an invitation to rescue because the “day of the Lord” is coming. Only those who seek the Lord know He is “mighty to save” (3:17).
 
All peoples who reject God’s invitation to seek Him will result in ruin, but for the remnant who return to the Lord, He “will be mindful of them and restore their fortunes” (7).
 
To seek the Lord we seek righteousness, the Word and ways of the Lord. We seek the Lord in humility, understanding we have been shown His great mercy. The prescription of the prophet contains hope for those who seek righteousness in humility, “perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord” (3).
 
Seeking the Lord leads to security, being sure of our hope because Christ took the wrath and anger of God against sin on the cross. God is no longer angry with those who seek Him for salvation! Grace awakens us to “seek first the Kingdom of Jesus” (Matthew 6:33) and “seek the Lord while He may be found” (Isaiah 55:6).
 
Richly Dwelling
-Do you believe the Lord is good to those who seek Him? Do you demonstrate this belief by seeking Him first? Why or why not?
 
-What examples of true humility have you seen lived out in service to the LORD? 
 
-How can you seek first the kingdom of God, in humility and righteousness? Be specific.
 
Key Verse
3 Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.

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