Not for This Time” — Jeremiah 16
Verse 1 — A Life That Becomes a Sign
The word of the Lord came hard and clear
“Do not take a wife while you are here
No sons to carry on your name
No daughters born into the flame”
For children born in this land will fall
By sword and hunger, one and all
No burial song, no tearful plea
Their end will speak what words can’t be
Chorus — A Silent Judgment
Not for this time, not in this place
No songs of birth, no wedding grace
The joy is gone, the sound grows thin
The silence tells the truth of sin
When mercy’s voice is pushed away
The quiet comes… and judgment stays
Verse 2 — No Mourning, No Feast
Do not enter the house of grief
No comfort bread, no wine of peace
For I have taken from this land
My lovingkindness, My outstretched hand
Do not step where the laughter rings
No feasting song, no cheerful things
Both joy and sorrow fade from sight
When truth is lost, so is the light
Chorus — The Withheld Presence
I have removed My peace from you
My steadfast love, My mercy too
You followed hearts that would not bend
So joy and grief alike must end
When God is left, all seasons cease
No tears to heal, no songs of peace
Bridge — The Reason Revealed
You will ask, “Why has this come?”
“What sin was so great, what have we done?”
Then say: “Your fathers walked away
They served other gods day after day
They would not listen, would not learn
They stiffened necks, refused to turn
And you have done yet worse than they
Each heart has gone its stubborn way”
Verse 3 — Exile Declared
So I will hurl you from this land
To foreign soil you’ll never planned
There you will serve both night and day
The gods you chose to chase and obey
I showed you grace, you wanted more
You broke the law, ignored the door
So now the land will spit you out
The truth made plain beyond all doubt
Final Chorus — Beyond the Silence
Not for this time… yet hear Me still
My purpose moves beyond your will
For days will come, I swear My name
When hope will rise from grief and shame
A greater rescue waits ahead
Though now you walk where tears are dead
Outro — A New Exodus (Quiet Hope)
No longer just from Egypt’s chain
But from the lands where you were slain
I will bring My people home
From every place where they were thrown
The Lord who lives will gather you
This word is sure… this word is true
