Under his shadow we would live

Under his shadow we would live
Scripture:- Moreover, our eyes failed, looking in vain for help; from our towers we watched for a nation that could not save us. People stalked us at every step, so we could not walk in our streets. Our end was near, our days were numbered, for our end had come. Our pursuers were swifter than eagles in the sky; they chased us over the mountains and lay in wait for us in the desert. The LORD’s anointed, our very life breath, was caught in their traps. We thought that under his shadow we would live among the nations. Lamentations 4:17-20

Observation:- Filled with terror, hopeless, frantically searching for help from anywhere, one cannot truly begin to fully understand the emotions felt by the people of Jerusalem in that time. Judah looked and looked for help from Egypt, but it did not come. There was nothing they could do to withstand the armies of Babylon. The people dared not go down to walk in the streets as the vicious armies flooded the city. Those who ran to the mountains were chased down, those who fled to the desert found the enemy waiting.
During the time of the Japanese occupation, the people of Malaya must have felt that way. Their hope had been in the British, but the colonial masters had fled before a superior army. People lived in fear. Men were killed, women forcibly taken, even children not spared. In many countries in Africa today, life is likewise uncertain, as rogues and rebels do as they wish among a poor, fearful people. In the days to come, in the time of tribulation, such scenes could well be commonplace all over the world.
In the last days, Jesus prophesied that we who follow Him would be handed over to be persecuted and killed and hated by all nations for His name’s sake. Brother would turn against brother, children against parents. It would be a terrible time. The Lord’s anointed would be caught in traps, and many would perish. Yet all who hold on to Jesus will live again and dwell under God’s shadow among the nations.

Application:- In life, there are difficult times that we must endure. For some of us, it could be truly terrifying times. However, though we lose all, those who lose even our lives, we need to remain sure and believe that this is all only temporary, and in the end, we have a great hope, a great God, whose shadow will cover us, and we will dwell with Him forever one day.

Prayer:- Lord, in my times of fear, even in my times of despair, I will continue to trust in You. Sustain me O Lord, and keep me safe in Your arms, till I see You face to face when You return. Bless You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.