Today you should read: Lamentations 3
Where To Find Hope…
Sorrow and Brokenness. That is what is involved here. This book is written under the shadow of the destruction of Jerusalem.
But we don’t need to only see this as an account of a nation in despair, we can think about how this book represents the despair of individuals. We can also relate to this hopelessness, ourselves, personally. In times of despair, when God doesn’t feel near, when we feel so overwhelmed with our inadequacies and failures, when we are afraid, or when we just don’t think our situation will ever change, we can turn somewhere to find true hope.
Today’s “Walk-a-Way”
In our chapter today, verses 1-20 represent despair. Hopelessness. It is a recounting of how the Lord has brought His people to nothing… on purpose. I believe the climax is found in verses 17-18. It represents the entire section, in just one sentence. The ESV says it this way, “my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is; so I say, ‘My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the Lord.’” There is a clear sense of hopelessness here.
But something happens in verse 21 that changes everything. The writer remembers. He calls truth to mind. And it is the very place he finds hope. After all the despair that is shared in verses 1-20, read what how he starts in verses 21-24;,
“But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
I don’t know about you, but watching this progression brings deep satisfaction to my soul. It’s like he is saying, “I am beyond despair! I am anxious, afraid, depressed, doubtful, and tired! God seems far away! BUT, this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope. (sigh of relief) God is faithful. His mercies are new every morning. He will fill me up. I will hope in Him.”
Wow. Let this section speak to your soul.
Are you tired? Are you afraid? Have you made some embarrassing mistakes? Have you been sorrowful and doubtful?
Well, call this to mind, and therefore… find hope…
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
Posted by: Sam Cirrincione
JumpstartCPC.com 