The prophet Jeremiah paves the way in the Book of Lamentations.
Today's word takes us to the Book of Lamentations, where the prophet Jeremiah wrote, “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope.” Lamentations 3:21. Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet because of His message of judgment to a rebellious nation, his heart of lament concerning their waywardness, and God’s coming judgment.
We can surely relate, especially in these times. We see it becoming darker and darker, yet we give way to hope and remain beacons of light because of our Savior. One way we do this is by walking through adverse circumstances, where our lives and how we respond are a witness that Jesus loves.
As Christians, we are not immune to adversity. Sometimes, life can feel like we are hanging on by a thread, but God has given us access to Him through Jesus Christ. I love that He is not only our God but also our Abba Father. We have nearness to Him, for the Spirit has made His home in us. We are seated high above the vicissitudes of life in the heavenlies, and we abide under the Shadow of His wings in the secret place where we rest, and our hope is securely tethered to Him.
Lamentations 3:21 lays the foundation for the fantastic revelation and promise in 3:22-23. First, consider the prophet's immense adversity and the people's suffering. They have indeed been brought low. It is the discipline of the Lord because they failed to return to Him. (When you get a moment, the backdrop is found in the Book of Jeremiah).
But, like Jeremiah, while suffering, we hope not based on anything we can conjure up in our strength or discover with human wisdom but based on the Lord's faithful love. Meditate on these few verses: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5.
And think about this, beloved: Jesus had not yet come when the words of Jeremiah were penned. They had the promise of His coming, yet they laid hold during times of immense hardship. How much more hope should we bolster concerning His promises, since we live in the Substance, Who is Christ, and He, Himself said, “It Is Finished” (John 19:30). He has died for us, and His nail-pierced hands and side are the proof of His unfailing love.
My heart is overjoyed with this passage. Because of Jesus, we have passed from death to life, “Truly I tell you, everyone, who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.” John 5:24, abide in the One who holds everything together: “He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.”Colossians 1:17.
So, what do we do when faced with hard things in life?
We cultivate hope by “calling to mind” the faithful love of our God; it's in v21. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23.
We cultivate gratefulness because as we rise daily, our heavenly bank account is full of God's mercy and grace that never ends. We can make life much more complicated than it needs to be. But when we remember the goodness of our God, it sets our perspective and changes the trajectory of our day and life.
We are loved.
We are forgiven.
We are protected.
Our Father is taking care of us, even if, at times, we fail to realize it. What a blessing it is when we do!
But let's not stop there… let’s go all the way. Jeremiah says, “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:24. The prophet has claimed the Lord as his own. The question becomes, have we?
If not, we can do so at this very moment. We can align with God and declare this most important truth.
How crucial is this affirmation? It is written more than once in the Bible: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”Psalm 73:26. Again, it is written in the context of deep sorrow and hardship, where there is a loss of culture and loss of identity for the nation; yet the writer is vehement: “God is his portion.” Because of the relationship with the Lord, the author has hope even in loss, and therefore, we also hope because our hope isn't in the situation (whether or not it changes), but in the Person of Jesus.
We not only belong to Jesus, but Jesus is ours (Song of Solomon 6:3). We have access to all that He is. I am truly overwhelmed by the magnitude of the verse and the promise and power it carries. I hope you are as well.
Finally, we move to the practical application found in Lamentations 3:25-26, ever notice these verses are not focused on. Amid adversity, we know by the sheer name of the book (Lamentations) we cry out to the Lord. We pour our hearts out to Him. But what happens next?
We wait, and we seek Him, “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” Lamentations 3:25. And I love the admonishment in verse 26, don’t just wait—we get to wait quietly because we are confident in the One who holds it all.
So what does this look like for you?
For me, it means not taking things back that I've laid down at His feet. I've prayed about it; I don't need to ruminate. I also don't need to complain when it doesn't look how I expected or it's taking longer than I thought. I quietly abide in the Vine, and so do you. Astonishing, masterful, amazing grace!
His love is the foundation of our faith, and let's embrace it as the driver of our hope.
❦Biblical Journal Prompts❦
Reflect on Adversity:
What adverse situations have you faced recently where you felt overwhelmed? How can you “call to mind” God’s faithful love as Jeremiah did in Lamentations 3:21-22? Write about how this impacts your outlook.
❦
Hope in the Midst of Tribulation:
Read Romans 5:3-5. How has tribulation in your life produced perseverance, character, and hope? Write a prayer or reflection on how God’s love has been poured into your heart through the Holy Spirit.
❦
Jesus as Your Portion:
Reflect on Lamentations 3:24 and Psalm 73:26. In what ways have you made the Lord your portion? How does declaring this truth affect your hope and your relationship with God?
❦
Quietly Waiting on God:
Consider Lamentations 3:25-26. In what areas of your life is God calling you to wait quietly on Him? How do you normally respond to waiting? Journal about ways you can learn to wait confidently in peace rather than frustration.
❦
Living in God’s Mercy:
“His mercies are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). How have you experienced God’s new mercies recently? Write about your gratitude for His unending faithfulness.
❦
Aligning with God’s Perspective:
How can you cultivate hope and gratefulness in your daily life by remembering God's goodness? What steps can you take to change your perspective and align more closely with God’s promises?
❦
Abiding in the Vine:
Jesus invites us to abide in Him (John 15:4). Reflect on what it means for you to abide in the Vine. How can you practically “lay down” your burdens and trust God without taking them back?
❦
The Love of God:
Reflect on John 19:30, where Jesus said, "It is finished." How does the finished work of Christ on the cross give you hope in your current struggles? Write about the magnitude of His love and what it means for your life.
❦
Seek and Wait:
What does seeking God look like in your life right now? How can you cultivate a lifestyle of seeking Him daily and trusting in His timing? Write about the ways you will actively wait on the Lord this week.
Comments