If you’ve been following along in this study of the book of Lamentations in the Bible, you might be surprised to get to verse 21 of Lamentations 3 (only a third of the way through the chapter), and find a reference to hope.
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:Lamentations 3:21 NIV
https://lamentations.bible/lamentations-3-21
As mentioned in the previous article, chapter 3 is indeed a little bit different from the other chapters in Lamentations, where it takes some work to find references to hope (where there are any at all).
The difference doesn’t appear to be in the author’s circumstances, or personal accomplishments, or heroic attitude. Let’s keep reading to learn what inspires hope:
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV
Wait a minute…are we still in Lamentations? God’s “compassions never fail”, “They are new every morning”, great is His faithfulness. (I think that I feel a hymn coming on.) These words of hope come near the middle of one of the most depressing books of the Bible, and they aren’t just little comments made in passing, but words that are worthy of becoming song lyrics!
When we are sitting in lamentation, dwelling on real sorrows and real pain, there’s a point where things should pivot to hope. Consider Peter’s sermon in Acts 3, where he describes how things were pretty bleak, “but God” stepped in and changed everything (see Acts 3:13-15). There are many historical and personal accounts that we could share where things looked one way, but when God showed up, the situation took a major turn. Now, I know that God is always around, and is always working, but there are times when His intervention is dramatic and amazing, and what looked like a disaster turns into a victory!
Having said that, it’s one thing to recount how God rescued us (or others) in the past, but in order to appreciate God’s ability to work good in our lives during the worst times, we need some perspective and some faith. God’s justice may be terrifying to those who haven’t also understood His love and mercy. Suffering – especially when it comes as part of discipline or punishment – is painful, but if we will accept it, God’s compassion spares us from having to resign ourselves to suffering without end.
I don’t know about you, but I tend to need a new dose of God’s help every day. By the end of most days, I’m beat: out of energy and ready to crash on the couch. The evening news doesn’t necessarily help my optimism either. Each new day, though, is a reminder (if we choose to see it) that God is still present, that He’s still in control, and that He loves us more than we can comprehend.
This reminds me of a verse that I like from the Psalms:
Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
Psalms 42:5 NIV
(Actually, there are at least three similar verses: Psalm 42:5, Psalm 42:11, and Psalm 43:5.) When we are tempted to remain in sadness even when the time for lament is over, a good reminder to hope in God is often the support that we need to persevere until the time is right and He steps in and changes things for the better. In some cases, we see His blessings on this earth. In all cases, we have confidence that we will see His character in eternity.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for May 28, 2023
References:
- The Lookout, May 28, 2023, © 2023 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Jeremiah-Lamentations, by Timothy M. Willis. © 2002 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 