Lamentations 1:1-22

1How deserted lies the city, once so full of people! How like a widow is she, who once was great among the nations! She who was queen among the provinces has now become a slave. 2 Bitterly she weeps at night, tears are on her cheeks. Among all her lovers there is no one to comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies. 3 After affliction and harsh labor, Judah has gone into exile. She dwells among the nations;
she finds no resting place. All who pursue her have overtaken her in the midst of her distress. 4 The roads to Zion mourn, for no one comes to her appointed festivals. All her gateways are desolate, her priests groan, her young women grieve, and she is in bitter anguish. 5 Her foes have become her masters; her enemies are at ease. The Lord has brought her grief because of her many sins. Her children have gone into exile, captive before the foe. 6 All the splendor has departed from Daughter Zion. Her princes are like deer that find no pasture; in weakness they have fled before the pursuer. 7 In the days of her affliction and wandering Jerusalem remembers all the treasures
that were hers in days of old. When her people fell into enemy hands, there was no one to help her. Her enemies looked at her and laughed at her destruction. 8 Jerusalem has sinned greatly and so has become unclean. All who honored her despise her, for they have all seen her naked; she herself groans and turns away. 9 Her filthiness clung to her skirts; she did not consider her future. Her fall was astounding; there was none to comfort her. “Look, Lord, on my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed.” 10 The enemy laid hands on all her treasures; she saw pagan nations enter her sanctuary— those you had forbidden to enter your assembly. 11 All her people groan as they search for bread; they barter their treasures for food to keep themselves alive. “Look, Lord, and consider, for I am despised.” 12 “Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look around and see. Is any suffering like my suffering that was inflicted on me, that the Lord brought on me in the day of his fierce anger? 13 “From on high he sent fire, sent it down into my bones. He spread a net for my feet and turned me back. He made me desolate,
faint all the day long. 14 “My sins have been bound into a yoke[b]; by his hands they were woven together. They have been hung on my neck, and the Lord has sapped my strength. He has given me into the hands of those I cannot withstand. 15 “The Lord has rejected all the warriors in my midst; he has summoned an army against me
to[c] crush my young men. In his winepress the Lord has trampled Virgin Daughter Judah. 16 “This is why I weep
and my eyes overflow with tears. No one is near to comfort me, no one to restore my spirit. My children are destitute because the enemy has prevailed.” 17 Zion stretches out her hands, but there is no one to comfort her.
The Lord has decreed for Jacob that his neighbors become his foes; Jerusalem has become an unclean thing among them. 18 “The Lord is righteous, yet I rebelled against his command. Listen, all you peoples; look on my suffering. My young men and young women have gone into exile. 19 “I called to my allies but they betrayed me.
My priests and my elders perished in the city while they searched for food to keep themselves alive. 20 “See, Lord, how distressed I am! I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed, for I have been most rebellious.
Outside, the sword bereaves; inside, there is only death. 21 “People have heard my groaning, but there is no one to comfort me. All my enemies have heard of my distress; they rejoice at what you have done. God's children, turn back to God. Be His holy people because He is holy. May you bring the day you have announced so they may become like me. 22 “Let all their wickedness come before you; deal with them as you have dealt with me because of all my sins. My groans are many and my heart is faint.”

- It is well written. Not that I'm happy in any events that happened but it is a great reminder of how God's chosen people had fallen. Likewise, how a great nation had broken into pieces. They were not the first as we remember Adam and Eve were told to leave the Garden of Eden, and followed by others. God does not bring sufferings to strengthen our faith but rather it is due to our wrong decision and other factors. You might question why do we follow this God who will punish our wrong doings. It is because He is the truth and you have to remember He is merciful and forgiving. All you have to do is to be truthful and bear your heart to ask for God's forgiviness. He loves you, cares for you and He will bless you.                                                                                                            

Amazing Grace by Darlene Zschech

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound.
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found.
Was blind but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear.
And grace my fears relieved:
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis grace that brought me safe thus far,
And it is grace that will lead me home.

When I've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
I've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when I first begun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVecO0D35LA

I Give You My Heart by Darlene Zschech and Steve McPherson

This is my desire
To honour You
Lord, with all my heart
I worship You
All I have within me
I give You praise
All that I adore
Is in You

Lord, I give You my heart
I give You my soul
I live for you alone
Every breath that I take
Every moment I'm awake
Lord, have Your ways in me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywkpGsF1Dp0

Lamentations 3:22-40

22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.
28 Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him.
29 Let him bury his face in the dust — there may yet be hope.
30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace.
31 For no one is cast off by the Lord forever.
32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.
33 For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.
34 To crush underfoot all prisoners in the land,
35 to deny people their rights before the Most High,
36 to deprive them of justice — would not the Lord see such things?
37 Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it?
38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?
39 Why should the living complain when punished for their sins?
40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.

- The Israelities had gone through hard times with God but they had gone through good times with God's blessings too. They knew who was God. A God with great love for them, a God with compassion, a God who was faithful to them, a God who was willing to forgive, and an omnipotent God. Their ancestors wondered in the wilderness 40 years before only the faithful ones entered into the promised land. The Israelities failed God again and exiled to Babylon. Today we still get to see the Jews faithful to God though their ancestors had gone through a lot of hard times when God turned His back on them or we can say punishments. Because they know He is their God, their ancestors' God, the God who takes control of all things - the omnipotent God, their Father. So they put their faith in God and accept the hardships their ancestors had gone through because of their wrong doings. Our God did not forget the Israelities and He did not forget us. He sent His son Jesus Christ to die for us and whoever who pray the forgiviness of sin and the acceptance of God into his or her life, s/he will become the child of God. A new life will begin. Your life will be led and blessed by God, if you will call Him and He will answer you.

Worthy Is The Lamb by Hillsong Worship

Thank you for the cross, Lord
Thank you for the price You paid
Bearing all my sin and shame
In love You came
And gave amazing grace

Thank you for this love, Lord
Thank you for the nail pierced hands
Washed me in Your cleansing flow
Now all I know
Your forgiveness and embrace

Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious

High and lifted up
Jesus Son of God
The Darling of Heaven crucified
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb

Thank you for the cross, Lord (thank you)
Thank you for the price You paid
Bearing all my sin and shame
In love You came
And gave amazing grace

Thank you for this love, Lord
Thank you for the nail pierced hands
Washed me in Your cleansing flow
Now all I know
Your forgiveness and embrace

Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious

High and lifted up
Jesus Son of God
The Darling of Heaven crucified
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb

Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious

High and lifted up
Jesus Son of God
The Darling of Heaven crucified
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-cd5prE4f0