I have often been drawn to Lamentations 3:22-26. I remember the first time it struck me what it said. I was walking, listening to my Bible, and suddenly stopped in the middle of a stride and rewound to listen again.
The Hebrew word for lamentations is eychah (אֵיכָ֣ה) which means, “Alas! How!” It is also the first word in the book. “Alas! How lonely sits the city so once full of people.”
By the time Jeremiah wrote Lamentations, he’d gotten the vision from God about the destruction of the city, warned the populace about it, was arrested, beaten, ostracized — and then witnessed everything he’d warned would happen happening all around him.
Lamentations was written because he lamented in his very heart and soul everything that happened. It’s a crying out – think clothes torn, sobbing on your face.
Chapter 3 begins with, “I am the strong man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath. He has driven me and made me walk in darkness and not light.” It goes on to explain how horrible and bitter it all was, the hardship, how God shut out his prayer, the desolation thereof.
And yet, in the midst of all of that, are these beautiful words the shine with promise:
This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3:22-26
In the midst of life’s trials and tribulations, finding solace and hope becomes essential. This passage offers a profound reminder of God’s unfailing compassion and faithfulness even in the darkest of times. It brings to light the transformative power of God’s mercy, grace, and love that sustains us through every challenge and allows us to find renewed strength and hope.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.” God’s compassion and faithfulness are boundless and everlasting. No matter how dire our circumstances may seem, we can find comfort in the unwavering love and faithfulness of God, which extends beyond our comprehension and endures forever.
Verse 23 reminds us that God’s mercies are new every morning, a fresh outpouring of His grace and compassion with each.new.day. The unchanging nature of God’s faithfulness assures us that His love is present in every situation and season of life. It’s a beautiful a reminder that even when we face difficulties and challenges, God remains faithful and extends His loving-kindness toward us.
In the almost 11 months, I’ve learned to wait for the Lord and to keep my hope in Him. When I’m gripped with despair and grief, waiting can be a challenging endeavor. However, by anchoring my hope in God’s faithfulness, I have cultivated a patient trust that enables me to continue to endure and find strength. In the waiting, I have learned to surrender my fears and anxieties, resting in the assurance that God is working on my behalf – just as these words promise.
The Lord is good to those who seek Him, to the soul who seeks His presence. Amidst trials and tribulations, grief and overwhelming circumstances, it can be tempting to focus solely inward. Yet, when we intentionally seek God’s presence and goodness, we open ourselves to experience His transforming power. By turning our hearts toward Him, we discover His goodness and experience His sustenance. And, it’s new every morning.
“It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” As we patiently trust in God’s salvation, we can let go of anxiety and find peace in His promises. In quiet surrender, we develop resilience and the assurance that God is our ultimate source of deliverance and redemption.