2024 - 02 - 18 Sawubona Shiboka By The Rev Anders Edstrom.WAV

Today is the 1st Sunday in the season of Lent. Here at Greenfield Presbyterian Church in Berkley, MI the scripture readings for this season are from the book of Lamentations. Today’s scripture lesson is Lamentations 1:11-22 11 All her people are groaning, seeking bread. They give up their most precious things for food to survive. “Lord, look and take notice: I am most certainly despised.” 12 Is this nothing to all you who pass by? Look around: Is there any suffering like the suffering inflicted on me, the grief that the Lord caused on the day of his fierce anger? 13 From above he sent fire into my bones; he trampled them. He spread a net for my feet; he forced me backward. He left me devastated, constantly sick. 14 My steps are being watched; by his hand they are tripped up. His yoke is on my neck; he makes my strength fail. My Lord has handed me over to people I can’t resist. 15 My Lord has despised my mighty warriors. He called a feast for me—in order to crush my young men! My Lord has stomped on the winepress of the young woman Daughter Judah. 16 Because of all these things I’m crying. My eyes, my own eyes pour water because a comforter who might encourage me is nowhere near. My children are destroyed because the enemy was so strong. 17 Zion spreads out her hands; she has no comforter. The Lord commanded Jacob’s enemies to surround him. Jerusalem is just a piece of garbage to them. 18 The Lord is right, because I disobeyed his word. Listen, all you people; look at my suffering. My young women and young men have gone away as prisoners. 19 I called to my lovers, but they deceived me. My priests and my elders have perished in the city; they were looking for food to survive. 20 Pay attention, Lord, for I am in trouble. My stomach is churning; my heart is pounding inside me because I am so bitter. In the streets the sword kills; in the house it is like death. 21 People heard that I was groaning, that I had no comforter. All my enemies heard about my distress; they were thrilled that you had done this. Bring the day you have announced so they become like me! 22 Let all their evil come before you. Then injure them like you’ve injured me because of all my wrong acts; my groans are many, my heart is sick.