Gold lost its luster
Day 392, Sunday, Sept. 7
Lamentations Chapters 4 and 5
Lamentations ends on a down note, with only a cautious ray of hope at the very end.
Chapter 4 begins, though, with a contemplation on the ultimate futility of wealth. “How the gold has lost its luster, the fine gold becomes dull! The sacred gems are scattered at every street corner.”
The final verses of the chapter have just a bare glimmer of hope, but begin with a statement of confidence that, in spite of everything, God reigns.
“You, Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation. Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long? Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure.”

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Sunday meditation

Job 31:35-40
(“Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing. Surely I would wear it on my shoulder, I would put it on like a crown. I would give him an account of my every step; I would present it to him as to a ruler.)—“if my land cries out against me and all its furrows are wet with tears, if I have devoured its yield without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants, then let briers come up instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.”
The words of Job are ended.

Prayer focus
Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return.