OUR HOPE IS IN THE LORD

The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.
Lamentations 3:22-23

The man Jeremiah, as God’s prophet, went through the fire. His assignment was not one that many would like to have been given. But he was obedient. He lived through the judgment and fall of Jerusalem and the Hebrew nation. He spoke the truth as the Lord commanded, and it was not wanted to be heard by most. Even of the righteous ones, they preferred to flee to Egypt than obey the Lord. And they still suffered in their choice.
 
The Book of Lamentations is attributed to Jeremiah by most. It is an expression of utter grief and mourning over the destruction of Jerusalem inflicted by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians. The holy city and temple were the last of the fall of Israel in the north and Judah in the south. This book laments over the loss of the city, temple, and people, and their devastation, famine, and exile, while struggling with the judgment of their sins. And despite the despair, it emphasizes hope and trust in God's enduring mercy and faithfulness, showing that even through suffering there can be repentance and eventual restoration.
 
God’s mercies are new every day. No matter what happens in life by our own demise or by the effects of others’ choices, there are always new beginnings, new seasons. Life is not the sum of the secular world’s idea of success. A successful life is one that is lived with Jesus as Lord and lived with continued growth in Him. There will always be ups and downs. But as Christians, we get back up and follow after the Lord again. The more we are renewed in His Word and grow in life’s circumstances, the better. And as we love Him and love others, being His light in this world so that others may join in His family too, this is successful living. The eternal outlook is the one that lasts. A million years from now, no one will remember how perfectly appointed our homes were or how much money we made and all the comforts we had. But for every soul that makes it to heaven, that God used us to help them find the way or stay on the path that led there, it will matter for all eternity. Every cup of water given in Jesus’ Name and even the smallest acts of kindness done for the right reasons, matter to the Lord.
 
It is so wonderful that we can always pick ourselves up and repent if needed, and the Lord will help us. God never needs a plan B, C, or any other, “next” plan of “what to do now.” He knows the end from the beginning, and He knew it all when He called you and I out of this world. He chose us, and He is faithful. His love is pure, and nothing can compare to His provision when we are His and rely on Him.
 
Jeremiah endured the loss of his home and his country, and he endured hateful persecution of his ministry, to the point that he has been known as “the weeping prophet” by many. He was falsely accused by the religious establishment of being a false prophet, when he was truly being obedient to the Lord and desperately telling the truth, trying to warn them of impending doom. To many, Jeremiah’s ministry might seem like a loss. But their blood was not on Jeremiah’s hands. He was obedient to the Lord. And Jeremiah’s hope was in the Lord to the end. He knew the Lord’s mercy was without fail.
 
When going through difficult times, as many of us are, Lamentations 3:21-40 is very encouraging. There is hope even in the hardest and worst of times. Be encouraged. No matter what happens next in this life, it will be no surprise to the King of kings and Lord of lords who is our provider and savior. Be encouraged child of God, His love and mercy are ours forever. Our strength may fail but His never does, and His strength is always available for those who rely on Him.