The loss of liberty is a terrible loss indeed. Our God is ready to work on behalf of His forgiven people. Only He can transform His people into sanctified and trustworthy beings, fit for Heaven.

The sight of the city in utter ruins is the backdrop against which Jeremiah’s poem rises above his lamentations. The prophet recognizes the justice of God in all His dealings with His professed people.

Today’s opening verse, on a grand scale, prophesies the downward turn taken by the New Testament church when she began to tolerate compromise. The backsliding continued and took the visible church into the Dark Ages. But there was still a faithful church who went into hiding.

Jeremiah wrote poetic lamentations with a broken heart as he witnessed the fulfillment of prophecies that had passed through his own lips.

In choosing to refrain from buying and selling on the seventh day, they are out of sync with the world. In choosing to worship Him while resting in His providence, they honor Him as Creator and Redeemer, actively extending the divine invitation to others.

In the sanctification process we are continually presented with clues in God’s word. The healthy exercise of our minds to gain understanding is a fundamental part of our worship of Him. His Holy Spirit’s guidance is essential for the privilege of discovering deeper meaning behind each sign or symbol.