Jerusalem sinned and was removed. Her city is empty. Jeremiah laments that she has no comforter. That’s striking since the Lord should be her comforter. And yet.

And yet, they call out to the Lord. “O Lord, behold my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed!” And again, “Look, O Lord, and see, for I am despised.” And yet.

And yet, they recognize the Lord’s hand in their destruction. “Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which was brought upon me, which the Lord inflicted on the day of his fierce anger.”

It is also recognized that their sin was grievous and caused their filthiness and that the yoke they were under, crushing their strength, is their sin. The Lord fastened it there.

The Lord gives people their desires. They desired their sin and were given over to them. It was the death of them. The wages of sin is death. What are you desiring after? What don’t you want to give up? Give it up! Better than to be given over to it.

When you seek out sin, sin has triumphed. Your enemies have triumphed over you. When you give into temptation, an enemy has triumphed over you. Your sin is too strong for you. You cannot withstand your enemy. That’s why we need a Savior.

That’s why we have a Savior! God saves. Jesus took your sin on Himself. He bore that burden already, so you don’t have to wear the burden of your sin.

There is freedom in the cross of Christ. Put the sin to death. Give it over to Christ to put to death on the cross. Let it be crucified with your flesh. You are crucified with Christ. Baptism is our death and burial. Sin can have your flesh. Your flesh is dead. Your spirit is made alive in Christ. Your spirit is a slave to righteousness.

We are righteous and every bit clean in Christ Jesus. That’s not just Bible truth; that’s the reality of a life given over to God.