Hope in God's Faithfulness

The Bible is relatable because it is filled with the ups and downs, the hopes and miseries of life. Jeremiah is a case in point. The faithful young prophet who resisted God's calling at first and became a stalwart of truth for his generation rode the waves of trouble and triumph through Israel's last years as an independent monarchy. Ultimately, he was in Babylon in captivity, lamenting the pain of his life's work. 

Lamentations 3:1–3 (ESV) I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath; 2 he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light; 3 surely against me he turns his hand again and again the whole day long.

An unnamed man describes his misery for the next 20 verses in Lamentations 3. He speaks of his physical maladies, his bitterness, and the sense that God is no longer interested in hearing his prayers. He talks of God's attack on his life and feels no endurance for the struggle. Is this Jeremiah? Or is Jeremiah personifying the men of Judah now in exile? The language is poetic and encapsulates the feelings of the people now undone by the consequences of their sins. 

Finally, in verse 21, the hope of this man arises out of his anguish:

Lamentations 3:21–24 (ESV) But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

Famous Biblical words, indeed. Beautiful to recite and hear. And they speak to the reality of our faith. Our faith is rooted in hope that must be called upon for every worshipper. Life can get dark; sometimes, our foolishness shuts out the sun. But still, there is a steadfast love from God that will never end. 

What must we do when we are troubled? We must wait for the Lord. 

Lamentations 3:25–27 (ESV) The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. 26 It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. 27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.

This means that your current condition is not final. Your present pain is not the ultimate statement on your life. We know this is true of Israel. They would be restored by King Cyrus, a pagan leader of Persia. They are still in the land, speaking the same language and worshipping the same God 2600 years later. Did they go through the darkness? Yes. But the Lord was FAITHFUL. 

What we need to do is silence ourselves before Him. 

Lamentations 3:28–30 (ESV) Let him sit alone in silence when it is laid on him; 29 let him put his mouth in the dust— there may yet be hope; 30 let him give his cheek to the one who strikes, and let him be filled with insults.

God is doing His work to produce in His people a dependency upon Him alone. The idolatrous practices needed to be eliminated in Israel's life. They would come out of Babylon broken from those bondages, but it took time. 

We also need to receive our lot from the Lord. 

Lamentations 3:37–39 (ESV) Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? 38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come? 39 Why should a living man complain, a man, about the punishment of his sins?

There's no use in complaining about our station. God is at work. He has ordered our steps and designed our lives. In every moment, we know that the Master is molding us and shaping our story. 

And finally, let us end with repentance and worship. 

Lamentations 3:40–42 (ESV) Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD! 41 Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven: 42 “We have transgressed and rebelled, and you have not forgiven.

The misery we experience is a school for us. We must examine where we are and what the Lord is saying. Then, with or without understanding in the moment, we must worship and praise. He's the Lord. He is still listening for His mercies never end.