Read Lamentations 3:1-24
Chapter 3 presents a triple acrostic, so we’ll split up this chapter a bit so we can reflect a bit on each thought. We hear first in our reading today from the perspective of God’s people experiencing deep spiritual sufferings. Like a breath of fresh air, we are also returned to a sense of hope. No matter how dark our times may seem, it is always good to know there will be a “light at the end of the tunnel.”
It’s good for us to remember what happened to the people of Jerusalem. Those are “our” people as believers in Christ. They were Jesus’ people, too. These laments give us a picture of what our future could be if we continue to distance ourselves from God. Why should it be any different for those who stray to other “gods” in our day?
There is a lot of “blaming God” going on here. We may have done that a time or two when something didn’t go right, or the way we wish God’s will had been. But this line sums up what actually happened. “He has filled me with bitterness and given me a bitter cup of sorrow to drink.” The people experiencing these things firsthand, for the most part, had drifted away from God. Now they were blaming him?
You’ve probably noticed by now that the book of Lamentations boldly states the facts with no sugar coating. What were the people experiencing? They were lost in darkness. They had witnessed some pretty gut-wrenching scenes. They were injured and in distress. They were bound and afraid. If you’ve ever experienced any of that kind of agony, you know why Lamentations represents all our tears.
The author, whoever that may be, of this lament not only cries out but also realizes there is hope to cling to. The whole chapter will waver back and forth between the lamenting and the hoping. That’s a skill we may need to develop. How good are you at leaving your pity party behind so that you can uncover the hope and joy waiting for you as a follower of Christ?
Did you encounter a familiar passage in today’s reading? I’ve relied on the truth of v. 23 more than a few times in my life, but I never knew Lamentations was the source! It says, “Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” How many times do we want a “do-over?” God’s mercies are fresh daily! That’s a pretty good indication we can start over each day and do a better job of staying connected and on the right path.
Imagining God’s faithfulness triggers this beautiful hymn for me, “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” and literally I’m humming the tune in my head. Here’s a version I really like featuring Carrie Underwood and CeCe Winans to listen to if you’d like.
It’s good for us to rest in the faithfulness of God because that is something that is forever. Even the hymn lyrics call that truth out.
“Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not, As Thou hast been,
Thou forever will be.”
The title of this reflection asked a question. Is there hope? I would say that when we rely on the unwavering faithfulness of God and forget trying to trust the world or ourselves for a change, there is most definitely HOPE.
Let’s pray. Father God, I give you thanks for the hope you give when I focus on you and your faithfulness. Thank you for choosing me to be at your service. Help me to leave my laments and sorrows behind and lean into you and your provisions. You will never let me down. I now rest in your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
