But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

Link for today’s reading: Lamentations 3:1-66, Hebrews 1:1-14, Psalm 102:1-28, Proverbs 26:21-22

Message:  ¹ In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ² but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. ³ The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. ⁴ So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. Heb. 1:1-4

⁵⁵ I called on your name, LORD,
from the depths of the pit.
⁵⁶ You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears
to my cry for relief.”
⁵⁷ You came near when I called you,
   and you said, “Do not fear.”

⁵⁸ You, Lord, took up my case;
   you redeemed my life.
⁵⁹ LORD, you have seen the wrong done to me.
   Uphold my cause!
⁶⁰ You have seen the depth of their vengeance,
   all their plots against me. Lam. 3:55-60

Promise:

 ⁸But about the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
   a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
⁹ You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
   therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” Heb. 1:8,9

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.

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. Lam. 3:22-26, 31-33

¹⁵ The nations will fear the name of the LORD,
all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.
¹⁶ For the LORD will rebuild Zion
   and appear in his glory.
¹⁷ He will respond to the prayer of the destitute;
   he will not despise their plea.
¹⁸ Let this be written for a future generation,
that a people not yet created may praise the LORD:
¹⁹ “The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high,
from heaven he viewed the earth,
²⁰ to hear the groans of the prisoners
and release those condemned to death.”
²¹ So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion
   and his praise in Jerusalem
²² when the peoples and the kingdoms
   assemble to worship the LORD. Psalm 102:18-22

Command:

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. Lam 3:37-40

Warning:

²¹ As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
²² The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.
Prov. 26:21-22

Application:  I commit to examining my ways and testing them.  I will return to the Lord. Lord, I will not fear, for you have taken up my case and redeemed my life!

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.