Jeremiah wrote the book of Lamentations during a time when he knew the people would not turn back to the Lord.
He is feeling the punishment that has be judged upon God's people.
- Lamentations 3:40
"Let us search and try our ways..."
Jeremiah points out that God has brought them down low, and has brought them down low because of their sin.
Yet, he is encouraging those who are in captivity and those who are the remnant to spend time searching inward.
Introspection is good for God's people.
Haggai, who wrote after the captivity, though, shows that perhaps they didn't learn from the previous mistakes.
- Haggai 1:5-7
We need to consider ourselves. It was an encouragement given in the Old Testament, and also in the New Testament.
- 2 Corinthians 13:5
Self criticism is important. We ought to judge ourselves righteously. Some self-criticism is valuable when we inspect ourselves by God's word. When we look inward, using His word as the mirror, we use it to bring ourselves into alignment with he will of God.
Analyzing the Text of Lamentations 3:40
Let us search and try our ways...
Try, examine (NKJV) means "to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately" (Strong's Bible Dictionary)
John Wycliffe, calls this type of introspection, heart searching.
"Ways" means "figuratively a course of life or mode of action" (Strong's Bible Dictionary)
- Psalms 139:23-24
Every child of God needs to compare his life with the way of God.
"...and turn again to the LORD..."
Yah-weh, refers to the Lord, so we are to return to the Lord, completely.
The preoposition "to" in the Hebrew implies not half-way, but the whole.(Barne's Notes)
We are to bring ourselves into close alignment with God's ways.
- Psalms 119:59-60
Like Jeremiah says, we are to search our ways, and turn again to the Lord, the Psalmist says he tried his ways and turned with haste, without delay.
God is always willing to pardon those who are repentant.
- Isaiah 55:7
- 2 Peter 3:9
It's not only important to go through he motions of God's word, but it's important to do apply them inwardly, as well as outwardly.
- Isaiah 1:11-15
They were unrighteous. They had turned away from God, and were worshiping idols. Yet, they were also trying to worship God. But, He says that their worship meant nothing to Him.
We need to understand how, and why we've gone away from God when we have, and turn again back to God.
The Israelites needed to turn back to God, change their lives and hearts.
Every individual needs to search, dig into, and try his own heart. This rigorous examination is meant to help him to align with God's will.
Applying the Text of Lamentations 3:40
God throughout scripture calls mankind to align their lives with His will. He has always revealed His will to us through the written word.
- Acts 3:19
- Galatians 6:4
We've got to make Biblical course corrections in our lives. We have to search, and try our ways, and turn back to the Lord.
We have to make course corrections in our hearts when our hearts convict us against God's will.
- 1 John 3:20-21
The consequences of us not examining our own hearts and changing is that God will examine our hearts. And, God will recompense us for our deeds.
We will be examined on the Day of Judgment
- 1 Corinthians 11:31
- Revelation 2:5
- 1 Corinthians 9:27
- 1 Corinthians 11:28
We are to examine ourselves, and look into our selves to determine if we are following God's ways, His will, and walking in His path.
Every aspect of Christian worship is to be in accordance with the direction given in the New Testament.
Every aspect of Christian work is to be in accordance with the work of God.
- John 4:24
- Titus 2:14
- Titus 2:12
- 1 Timothy 4:16
- Romans 16:17-18
The whole of our Christianity is to be wholehearted submission to the Father.
- Hebrews 5:8-9
There is a time when God's long suffering comes to an end. Israel experienced that, and then Judah experienced that. Sin separates us from God. And, we must turn back to Him if we do not want to perish.
We need to search and try our ways. We must not wait until it's too late to make changes in our lives.
Will we turn to God? Or will we hold to our own desires?
Turning to the Lord is a prerequisite to salvation.
- Acts 26:20
Repentance is a required to please God.
- Acts 2:38
Baptism is required to be forgiven.
- Acts 8:22
Christians also, may need to confess and repent of their sins.
- 1 John 1:9
Let us all search and try our ways back to the Lord. Man cannot save himself. Only the blood of Jesus Christ, can save us, when we are buried in baptism to be cleansed.
If you've not become a child of God. We want to help you to do so.
If we can assist you as you search for truth, please contact us.
