Main Idea: In the midst of hardships, hope can be found in God’s unchanging nature.
A Look at the Text:
The people of Judah were suffering in the wake of the Babylonian siege.
Specifically, we see an individual recollecting the hardships of the present while suffering under “the rod of his [God’s] wrath” (Lam. 3:1). Perhaps the speaker here is Jeremiah, or perhaps it is another who went through the siege. Regardless, the lament holds a representative nature of all who endured that time.
God had delivered the people of Judah to their captors, and once again Lamentations provides vivid, poetic descriptions of the destruction.
Yet, when all else seemed lost, a reason for hope was found. In the midst of lament heaped upon lament, sunshine broke through the clouds with a hope not grounded in circumstance, but covenant-faithfulness:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lam. 3:22-23).
The lamenter knew that the God of Israel was a God worth waiting for (Lam. 3:24-26). Exile wasn’t going to be the end of the story. The same God who cast them off wouldn’t keep them away forever (Lam. 3:31). The same God who caused grief would also have compassion on them because of His steadfast love (Lam. 3:32).
Then, only in light of the Lord’s love, the lament turns into an exhortation to return to the Lord (Lam. 3:40).
Bringing it Home:
Hope in God’s nature can be found even during the most dire circumstances of life because God is unchanging. It should comfort us to know that one of the most beautiful passages about God’s mercy and love is nestled right in the middle of the Bible book devoted to crying.
Truly, there were many reasons to mourn and lament all that had happened. But while Jerusalem had changed from a city filled with glory and splendor to a heap of ruins, their God had not changed. He had mercy anew that day and for the next day as well. He would carry them through because of His covenant-keeping, faithful love.
If this were true while the smoke was still rising from Jerusalem, then certainly as modern believers we can find hope in the midst of difficult seasons in life as we look to our God who is both sovereign and good.
God’s nature doesn’t shift with my circumstances. God’s nature doesn’t shift even if I am disciplined by Him. At the end of the day, if I am in Christ, I am made a part of His family, and nothing can separate me from His love (Rom. 8:38-39).
So how could sorrow be the end of my story?
How could grief be the final word?
He is a good God and a God worth waiting for.
Challenge:
Is my hope tied to changes in my circumstances or my unchanging God?
I thank God for His mercies every day. Thank you for your inspirational writings each day!