Well this is a tough one... not really the most encouraging passage of scripture to meditate on, but there is so much wealth in these verses. We are encouraged to remember that wealth and status and pleasure can pass in an instant and each of us could wake up broke, sick, hurt, humbled and changed by circumstance. In this passage Jeremiah laments over the misery he sees. Chad leads us through this passage and points us to the sure hope of Christ, our Savior, who holds onto us and will never abandon us. Our friend Chris Lizotte sings "Fear Not".

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• Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird

• Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales

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• The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

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• Chad Bird

Lyrics to "Fear Not"

Lamentations 4:1-11

We are desolate in the streets

And our hearts are black as coal

Once, like gold, we were shining

Now we are muted and we are cold

How the gold has grown dim,
how the world, our world, has changed!
Now the holy stones lie scattered
what we held sacred, is now profaned

Chorus

“Fear not, fear not, do not fear

Peace be with you”

In this world of tribulation

Christ has overcome the world

“Fear not, fear not, do not fear

Peace be with you”

In this world of tribulation

Christ has overcome the world

Fear not

Now Your wrath

Has kindled a fire

That consumed our foundations, they’re gone

There's no drink, to quench for our thirst now

Just the tune, of an old drunkards song

And the jackals

Still feed their young

But You’ve taken

All we’ve become

We fall in the street, tripping on our feet

We are all overrun

Like many of the laments of Jeremiah, this is a mixture of questions, frustration, anger, trust and hope. Chad gives a beautiful and encouraging meditation on this gripping passage. Rachel Hall sings "You Came Down".

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What’s New from 1517:

• Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird

• Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales

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• The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

More from the hosts:

• Chad Bird

Lyrics for "You Came Down"

Rivers of tears
Run down my cheeks

Rivers of tears
Flow without ceasing,
Waters rising

Over my head

My legs are dead

And I am sinking

Do I cry in vain

“I called on your name”

Do I cry in vain

from the depths of despair

Can You hear me, can you hear my prayer

Will You crush me in my pain?

Do I hope in vain?

Chorus:

You came (Down!)down to me

you heard my cry,

‘Do not close your ear”

You came (Down!) down to me

Saying, ‘Do not fear!’

You came down to me

And You drew near

“You’ve taken up my cause,

O Lord; You saved my life

Even on this day

You are making it right

You repay the evil one

Who does not care for truth

You destroy the wicked

Who slays the righteous in their youth

Verse 22 says "there is no sorrow like all of my sorrow". Wow... Only God can redeem the times when we are trapped and unable to free ourselves. Chad compassionately meditates on this passage and gives us hope, hope based upon the liberating work of Christ on our behalf. Mikaela Adams sings "Not Alone".

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

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What’s New from 1517:

• Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird

• Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales

• Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

• The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

More from the hosts:

• Chad Bird

Lyrics to "Not Alone"

There is no sorrow

Like all my sorrow

My heart is broken

There’s no tomorrow

My sinful pathway

Has made the day fade

There is no comfort

And no one to help, no one to help

Chorus:

Not Alone

You hear me

Not alone

You are with me

In this world

Of resurrection life

Take my pain

For Your glory

Hold me forever

Hold me forever

In resurrection life

My bones are on fire

My feet are entangled

No way to go forward

No way to retreat

All that I hope for

Is that you draw near me

My heart is fainting

And no one to help, no one to help

Sometimes all we can say is "Lord , have mercy, Christ have mercy. Jeremiah could see what was happening, and was serving God by warning everyone. God understands and is our only hope. Still, it hurts to see the pain of sin and it's consequences, and we can relate. Lord have mercy on us. Rebekah Caggegi sings "So You Cry".

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

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What’s New from 1517:

• Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird

• Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales

• Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

• The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

More from the hosts:

• Chad Bird

Lyrics:

“And So You Cry”

The children cry to their mothers

“Where is the bread and wine?”

As they faint in the streets of the city

Fade away before their time.

What can I say for you

O daughter of Jerusalem?

What can I say for you

Your ruin is vast as the sea

vast as the sea

Chorus:

So you cry, cry out in the night,
Pour out your heart like water
let tears stream down like a torrent
day and night!
So you cry, in prayer to the Lord

for the saving of your children,
Who stumble for want of knowledge

And lack of sight

And so you cry

Lord have mercy

Christ have mercy

Lord have mercy

On me

Your prophets have led you astray now

Tell me where was the word of truth?

They filled their purses with money

But their speeches only confused.

What can I say for you

O daughter of Jerusalem?

What can I say for you

Your ruin is vast as the sea

Chorus:

And so you cry, cry out in the night,
Pour out your heart like water
let tears stream down like a torrent
day and night!
So you cry, in prayer to the Lord

for the saving of your children,
Who stumble for want of knowledge

And lack of sight

And so you cry

Lord have mercy

Christ have mercy

Lord have mercy

On me

In this passage Jeremiah is enthusiastically praising God, then cursing the day he was born, then speaking as a warrior, then speaking fearfully. Chad understands and ruminates on this subject, then points us yet again to our certain hope, hope that is always present, even when we don't even know ourselves. Chris Lizotte sings a beautiful song entitled "Open the Skies".

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

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• 1517 on Youtube

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What’s New from 1517:

• Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird

• Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales

• Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

• The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

More from the hosts:

• Chad Bird

Lyrics to "Open the Skies"

Cursed on the day I was born

Before I knew your name

Cursed with terror and scorn

Trouble and shame

Even my old friends

Wait to see me fall

All our history makes no sense

They’d love to see me crawl

I am numb, I am weak, I am paralyzed

Chorus:

Open the skies

And I will sing to You

Open the skies

Raise this fallen man

For Your glorious plan

Your love abides

I wait for You, to

Open the skies

Open the skies

And I will sing to You

Agony in the garden

The painful drops of blood

You fixed Your face toward glory

From your eternal love

Lord You stand beside me

But I am bruised and tired

My hope is Christ for me

Your purifying fire

I am numb, I am weak, I am paralyzed

Chorus:

Open the skies

And I will sing to You

Open the skies

Raise this fallen man

For Your glorious plan

Your love abides

I wait for You, to

Open the skies

Open the skies

And I will sing to You

Chad tells us the story behind this timeless hymn, and we also look into the struggles of the great prophet Jeremiah. Jeff Anderson masterfully sings this wonderful hymn.

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

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• 1517 on Youtube

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What’s New from 1517:

• Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird

• Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales

• Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

• The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

More from the hosts:

• Chad Bird

Waiting on God, Who alone is our only hope in this life and will safely guide us to be with Him for eternity. Kris Winrich sings this timeless Psalm of brokenness and hope.

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

• 1517 Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

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What’s New from 1517:

• Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird

• Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales

• Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

• The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

More from the hosts:

• Chad Bird

This episode deals with the all too familiar situation known as "No good deed goes unpunished". The prophet Jeremiah was faithful in delivering God's message of truth to His people, yet his earthly reward was hearing of his countrymen plotting to take his life! Jeremiah turned to God in despair and complained bitterly, to the point of asking for harsh judgement to come upon his enemies. Chad ruminates on this deeply emotional passage and offers compassionate words of hope for us all, based entirely upon the loving character of our God. Colin Heinrich sings a beautiful and peaceful lament entitled "Hear me, Lord".

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

• 1517 Podcasts

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What’s New from 1517:

• Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

• The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

• Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes

• Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi

More from the hosts:

• Chad Bird

Lyrics to "Hear me, Lord"

Sometimes pain

Can strike like a rod

And cleanse like a fire

And turn me to God

When revenge

Is hurting myself

It acts like a fever

And breaks down my health

Waiting, trusting to rest in Your love

Waiting, trusting to rest in Your love

Chorus:

Hear me Lord

I hear my enemies speak

Hear me Lord

For I am weak

Hear me Lord

This cross is too heavy to bear

Hear me Lord

Receive my prayer

They dig a pit

With snares for my feet

They plot out smy ruin

Prepare my defeat

Only You

Hold my future secure

I cannot change them

Or fill them with fear

Waiting, trusting to rest in Your love

Waiting, trusting to rest in Your love

Chorus:

Hear me Lord

I hear my enemies speak

Hear me Lord

For I am weak

Hear me Lord

This cross is too heavy to bear

Hear me Lord

Receive my prayer