Devotions

This final chapter is not strictly a lament like the preceding four, but it is rather a prayer for renewal. Neither is it really an acrostic as the other laments. It has twenty-two sections, as they do, but the sections do not begin with successive Hebrew letters. It may perhaps be, as Philip Graham Ryken suggests, that “the decision not to arrange the fifth lament in alphabetical order was deliberate, with the intention that the poem’s disorderly structure would mirror the chaotic state of the city.”
The prayer begins, “Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach” (1). With the use of “us” and “our”, we immediately notice that this is a prayer on behalf of all God’s people. There is an honest acknowledgement of their reproach and disgrace.
Prayer is, however, the necessary approach to trouble, “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray” (James 5:13). It is a difficult thing to bear reproach. John Trapp says of it, “This is that which man’s nature is most impatient of.” To God’s people it is all the more difficult to bear because such reproach poorly reflects upon the honour of the Lord Himself. Therefore, when we feel such reproach, we must come with all haste unto the Throne of Grace, and find our refuge in Christ:

Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge – Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? – Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.