A Daily Devotional for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek
25 August 2024
Reading From Lamentations 3:37-5:22
“Joy is gone from our hearts;
our dancing has turned to mourning.
The crown has fallen from our head.
Woe to us, for we have sinned!
Because of this our hearts are faint,
because of these things our eyes grow dim”
–Lamentations 5:15-17
Sin is corrosive to our spiritual health. It affects us in ways that are not apparent while we are in the middle of being deceived. When we are tempted, we tell ourselves (or some demon does) things like, “just this once won’t do any harm,” and, “just do it and then ask God to forgive you. It’ll be ok.” This passage in Lamentations reveals the truth. Disobeying God robs us of our joy, strips us of our dignity, saps us of spiritual strength, and causes us to lose perspective.
“Because of these things our eyes grow dim.” Righteousness causes us to think with clarity and keep our wits about us. Sin clouds our judgment and brings confusion. Going against God’s will is all about short-term gratification and therefore distracts the sinner from any sense of long range effects. The Lord wants His sons and daughters to share His eternal perspective, which goes far beyond the here and now.
“Lord Jesus, we humbly ask You to forgive us our many sins and cleanse us with Your blood. Remove any thoughts and desires that do not honor You. Replace them with more and more of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for not treating us according to what our sins deserve, but with Your compassion, mercy and unfailing love. Help us to stay focused on You and our destiny in Your Kingdom. In Your Name I pray, Amen.”
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
–Psalm 139:23-24
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
–II Corinthians 4:18
Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God 
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