Proper Perspective

Does not the Most High

send both calamity and good?

Then why should we, mere humans, complain

when we are punished for our sins?

Instead, let us test and examine our ways.

Let us turn back to the LORD.

Let us lift our hearts and hands

to God in heaven and say,

“We have sinned and rebelled,

and you have not forgiven us.”

Lamentations 3:38-42

If we can read Lamentations without having our pride pierced, we may have hardened our heart toward God. In this prayer, Jeremiah attacks our tendency to call God to account for his actions. All too often, we presume to be the judge of God’s ways, yet we avoid examining our own sinful ways. The weeping prophet points out the cost of such behavior: We miss God’s forgiveness. The problem isn’t God’s punishment but our unwillingness to repent.

Today, consider the ways you have sat in judgment of God. In prayer, submit your own heart to the Lord’s scrutiny, and confess to him all that he brings to mind.

• Dear Lord, help me to test and examine my ways . . .