“Judah has gone into captivity, under affliction and hard servitude. She dwells among the nations; she finds no rest. All her persecutors overtake her in dire straits.” (Lamentations 1:3, NKJV)

According to tradition, Jeremiah wrote Lamentations after the people were taken into captivity and Jerusalem was destroyed. Jeremiah sat weeping and wrote five funeral dirges. He grieved the death of the city where Yahweh had placed His name and Solomon had built the temple.

While the world seeks to avoid sorrow and suffering, there is wisdom to be found in the house of mourning. Tears heal the heart—especially when they are caused by godly sorrow for wrongs we have done. The Jews would experience much sorrow over the seventy years of captivity, but it would cleanse them from the sin of idolatry.

Jeremiah personifies Judah as a woman. She left her homeland as an unfaithful wife. In Babylon she experienced great affliction. She exchanged the rest and peace she could have known in the LORD with hard servitude, anxiety and fear. But when she returned, she would be loyal to her Husband.

Sin is costly. It brings great sadness to everyone who yields to it. This affects not only the individual, but also everyone around them. While our sins may cause grief to others, it is only when we mourn over them that repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation can occur. Are you suffering the guilt and consequences of a poor decision? You may be afflicted for a season, as were the Jews. But you can find peace and pardon if you will confess your sins and humble yourself beneath the mighty hand of God. He is gracious, merciful and forgiving. He will not allow you to suffer forever, but will restore you to His favor if you yield to His perfect way in your life.