L There ib consolation in the fact that God is enthboned. Above the tumnlt, above the darkness, stands the throne of God. God is King over all, not only reigning in majesty, but also ruling in rnight. 1. Evil is not sv^eme. It rears its head in boasts and threats. It dwells in high places. But it does not reach to the highest. 2. Evil is under government. Not only is it not supreme, but in the lower domain where it seems to rove at will it is not really free. It is chained, checked, and overruled. The kingdom of God extends over the rebellious haunts of iniquity. 8. Justice is ahove all. Wrong must give place to righteousness. Law must triumph over disorder. The fair order that is the image of God's equitable and righteous will la ultimately to supersede the hideous confusion of man's lawlessness. Even now God 5s reigning and working through the chaos to the development of life and beauty. i. Goodness controls everything. He who is enthroned supreme is our Father, the kind and merciful God. His rule must reflect his character. For such a Lord to b* supreme is for all the law and government of his kingdom to be inspired with leva.
II. Theke 18 consolation in the fact that God's throne ib eternal. The eternal is always of first moment. Whatever be the force, or size, or character of any temporal thing, its transitoriness makes it as an unsubstantial dream compared with the solid endurance of what is eternal. God's eternal throne renders the petty thrones of evil, so hastily set up and so swiftly cast down, like mere passing shadows. 1. Nothing can overthrow the throne of Ood. We see good causes frustrated, good men crushed and bad powers apparently victorious ; but they cannot take the citadel. The throne above looks down upon their petty victories with scorn. 2. Goodness uriU outlive evil. The temporary phase of darkness cannot endure like the everlasting kingdom of light. Generation after generation comes and goes ; still the grand old throne stands above all, immovable. In one age, wild dreams of new religions possess the minds of men. In another, lethargy and degeneration of character are prevalent. But all these shadows pass, and the throne still abides. Like the rock about which the surf fumes and frets, the throne of God dwells firm and calm in the midst of all earthly changes. 3. Evil will he made to work for good. The everlasting throne will draw all transitory things into subjection to itself. We can endure our passing troubles if we are children of God and citizens of the kingdom of heaven, because these very troubles most do the will of our gracious Lord.
Ver. 20. — Questioning Ood. I. It ib katurai. that we bhocld wish to kkow the purpose op God's dealings with db. There is no subject for inquiry that touches us more nearly or that affects us in such important matters. God's treatment of us concerns our highest welfare ibr time and eternity. It is in all the experience of life — our many blessings, our varied trials, our greatest prosperity, and our heaviest trouble. Surely it is natural that we should ask whither are all these waves driving us, and why do they sometimes beat so strangely and severely.
II. There is much in God's dealings with us that we cannot understand. It seems that he has forgotten us when we are permitted to fall into great and lasting trouble. Short, sharp aiiiiction may be faced. But long-enduring distress wears out hope and faith, and makes it appear more and more as though the lonely sufferer had been deserted by God. The purpose of this is not easy to discover. The whole diapensation is just inexplicable.
III. The right wat to discover the purpose of God'b dealings with us ib to abk him. We often discuss vainly when we have no data to start with. But specu- lation is sure to fail if it goes beyond all evidence and clear reason. Prayer is the one safe Naourc*. It would be well if we had enough faith in God to confide our donbta to
OH. V. 1—22.] THE LAMENTATIONS OF JEREMIAH. 85
him. For it is too often only unbelief that makes us silence doubt. If we truly trusted God we should more bravely confess to him all that troubled and perplexed oui minds. In response to such confidence God may reveal to us a new way of looking at our experience that shall help us to understand something of its object ; or he may simply reconcile our minds to the mystery — perhaps an equally beneficial result.
IV. We mat rest assdrkd that God has a pttrposb in his dealings with us. It is there, though we cannot see it. We may say, " Wherefore dost thou forget us? " and we may not be able to receive an answer to our question. Yet we should nnt doubt that there is a " wherefore." God does nothing aimlessly. He certainly cannot be putting his children to pain without an object, nor without one that is adequate to the cost. The knowledge of this fact should quiet fear and restless doubt, even if the object itself remains hidden in mystery.
V. We must beware of questioning God queruloitslt. We have no right to demand an explanation from God. To couch complaints in the form of inquiries is .insulting to God. Let the questioning be humble and submissive, and the answers are sure to come in peace, if not always in light.
Ver. 21. — Renewal. When they do not lead to improvement lamentations are profitless, though they may be unavoidable. It is vain to mourn the past if our grief does not help us to make the future better. Sorrow for sin is good only when it leads to an active repentance. It is therefore necessary that a true consideration of the miserable conditinn into which evil living has brought us should rouse an earnest desire for a new and better life.
I. Renewal must be the work of God. The writer does not simply resolve to do better, nor hope that a happier state of affairs will come about of its own accord. He prays. And the object of his prayer is to plead with God to produce the great change which is so much needed. 1. We cannot accomplish the renewal. (1) We cannot change our own hearts ; they are too corrupt and too hard. (2) We cannot bring back the old days. The past is lost for ever. If it is to be equalled or surpassed by the future, a Divine providence alone can accomplish the great work. 2. Ood does hring about renewal. He renews the face of the earth. He sends spring-tima into wintry lives. No soul is so corrupt that God cannot renew it ; no life is so desolate that God cannot brighten it. We try vainly to turn ourselves. But God is strong as well as gracious. If only he turn us we shall be surely turned.