Lamentations 1:5
“Her enemies have become her masters. Her foes are living it up because GOD laid her low, punishing her repeated rebellions. Her children, prisoners of the enemy, trudge into exile.”
“Her oppressors have become her masters, and her enemies prosper for the Lord has punished Jerusalem for her many sins. Her children have been captured and taken away to distant lands.”
This is a picture of addiction. The affliction has taken on a life of its own and become a cruel master. Satan specializes in making mole hills into mountains, though addiction is hardly a mole hill. He makes problems seems so big we cannot see God, our salvation. Meanwhile the addiction works to weaken our self-image, relationships and livelihood. Children of addiction are carried into exile too. Their emotional and physical home destroyed, and they lack the solid base of a secure family that teaches how to live well.
It is a hopeless picture. But praise God he has not forgotten nor abandoned us, though mired in the desolate muddy puddle of our own making. He reaches out with the hand of rescue in Jesus Christ. He is God, fully man, who walked our walk and knows the path out of our bondage. He guides, as surely as God led Israel back to their homeland 2,500 years ago.
Lord, thank you for my parents who made great effort to provide me security. In Christ you are my parent now, giving security and intimacy too. You hold my hand as tightly as Mom and Dad did when I took my first steps. Continue the good work my parents began, developing my true self for your glory.