My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.
Psalm 22:1-2
Jerusalem, once so full of people, is now deserted. She who was once great among the nations now sits alone like a widow. Once the queen of all the earth, she is now a slave.
She sobs through the night; tears stream down her cheeks. Among all her lovers, there is no one left to comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her and become her enemies.
Judah has been led away into captivity, oppressed with cruel slavery. She lives among foreign nations and has no place of rest. Her enemies have chased her down, and she has nowhere to turn.
The roads to Jerusalem are in mourning, for crowds no longer come to celebrate the festivals. The city gates are silent, her priests groan, her young women are crying - how bitter is her fate!
Lamentations 1:1-4
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
When I look at the blood
all I see is love, love, love.
When I stop at the cross
I can see the love of God.
But I can't see competition.
I can't see hierarchy.
I can't see pride or prejudice
or the abuse of authority.
I can't see lust for power.
I can't see manipulation.
I can't see rage or anger
or selfish ambition.
I can't see unforgiveness.
I can't see hate or envy.
I can't see stupid fighting
or bitterness, or jealousy.
I can't see empire building.
I can't see self-importance.
I can't see back-stabbing
or vanity or arrogance.
I see surrender, sacrifice, salvation,
humility, righteousness, faithfulness, grace, forgiveness,
love! Love... love...
When I stop! ... at the cross
I can see the love of God.