“My strength and my hope have perished from the Lord.” Remember my affliction and roaming, the wormwood and the gall. My soul still remembers and sinks within me. This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. Lamentations 3:18-22 NKJV
Jeremiah was sorrowful. He had hung his hope on God’s promise to bless the Israelites if they worshipped according to His law. But many turned from God to false gods and sin pervaded the area. And now Jerusalem was in ruins. Here is what God promised the Israelites, for worshipping Him.
Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously. 2 Samuel 7:10
I get why Jeremiah was lamenting. Jerusalem had so much going for them, but sin invaded and so did Babylonians. They came in and destroyed everything, even the temple. This makes me think of the war going on in the East. My heart is broken for Ukraine as I am sure yours is. As I read Lamentations, I wondered… ” How can Ukraine have hope when the enemy is after them and their world is crumbling?”
They do have hope and I think it’s because they believe in something bigger than themselves. They believe in freedom! This is an ‘Aha!’ moment for me!
If WE are in crisis, personally, we can only get through if we have hope in something bigger than ourselves, the Lord! And we will all be in crises at some time. The Bible says so:
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds. James 1:2 ESV
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 ESV
Both of the verses say WHEN we have trials, not IF we do. When they occur, when we have a ‘Jeremiah moment,’ instead of despairing at things around us that have leave us at our wits’ end, we can look high to our hope that will never end! That is exactly what Jeremiah did! Despite the destruction, he still had hope. (Lamentations 3:22) We never ever have to be without hope. God, is always there:)
Hmmm…How high is my hope? Does it rely on everything going according to MY plan? When disaster strikes (not if) will I look up and see hope?
Dear God, Thank you for sending hope to the world through Your Son. That You would give us something eternal, knowing we would have trials, shows what a loving God You are! Please help us during stressful times and grant us hope enough to share with others. Amen
With love and hope from the Father to you, have a wonderful day!…Tina
Glory in the Morning 