Lamentations 1 ...Thought to be written by Jeremiah, this acrostic poem is a mournful lament of the fall of Jerusalem.  The writer portrays the city of Zion as a "princess" who has become empty.. widowed.. desolate. She feels abandoned and betrayed by all her friends and lovers.  She regrets her sinfulness and realizes that she is suffering the consequences for her own decisions. 

She knows that this has all happened at the hand of the Lord:

v5 "For the Lord has caused her grief because of the multitude of her transgressions."
v12 "..Which the Lord inflicted on the day of His fierce anger.."
v14 "..The Lord has given me into the hands of those against whom I am not able to stand."
v15 "The Lord has rejected all my strong men in my midst; He has called an appointed time against me."
v18 "The Lord is righteous; for I have rebelled against His command." 

Recognizing her own rebellion.. Zion groans and weeps.  "She did not consider her future; therefore she has fallen astonishingly;" (v9)

Over and over again, Jeremiah tells us, that what he longs for.. what Zion longs for... perhaps what we all long for and need most is a "comforter". 

V9  "... She has no comforter". 
v16 " For these things I weep; my eyes run down with water; Because far from me is a comforter, one who restores my soul.. "
v17 "Zion stretches out her hands; there is no one to comfort her;" 
v21 "They have heard that I groan; there is no one to comfort me.." 

Comfort.. "parakaleo" - to call near; invite; exhort; invoke; pray; implore; console; 

We sing of "comfort and joy" this time of the year.. finding that we, like Zion of old, are in great need of a Comforter.. Praise be to our Father who has given us great comfort and joy through Jesus Christ the One who came that we might draw near.. for we have been invited and encouraged, and consoled by His Spirit, the Comforter who has come to dwell in us!  John 14 has much to say about this great gift, sent by the Father.. He is the "spirit of truth".  He will teach us "all things".  He will give us peace.. and we will not be left "as orphans".. not deserted and not desolate..  like Zion.. ever again!

II Corinthians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 

Father in heaven, thank You for the Comforter who has come to dwell with us and in us!  May we find consolation and encouragement in the Word, as the Spirit of Truth teaches us all things. Thank You for  not leaving us or forsaking us.. for giving us hope and joy in Christ Jesus our Lord. Help us to walk in faith.. in the truth.. in righteousness.. to honor Your holy Name and to bring Your comfort to those around us that also need comfort in their afflictions.  Have Your way in us.. do this work of comfort through us.. in the Name of Jesus we pray.  Amen.