Today’s Scripture: Lamentations 3:21-22, ESV- “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;”
What gives you hope? A book called Lamentations seems to be an odd place to find hope. Jeremiah, the author of Lamentations personally witnessed the devastation of Jerusalem and God’s people. In this moment in time, almost six hundred years before Jesus, the people of Jerusalem were enduring hopelessness. Starvation, death, and destruction were all around them, yet Jeremiah recognized the only source of hope.
In fact, according to Chuck Colson at https://insight.org/resources/bible/the-major-prophets/lamentations, the original Hebrew name for this book was “ekah, which can be translated “Alas!” or “How,”” No matter how bad things may become, alas it is God’s never ending love and mercy how we find hope. Specifically, Lamentations 3:21-22 instructs us how to turn from despair. We must stop and remember that the love of our God never stops, His mercies for us never end. It is so refreshing to read in Lamentations 3:23 that God’s love and mercies for us are new every morning.
Today is a new day. Like the people of Jerusalem, we may bring our hardships upon ourselves due to our lack of faithfulness. As Lamentations 3:40 instructs us, sometimes we must examine our ways and test them, and return to the LORD. The actions of others may also inflict hopelessness upon us. Whether due to our own faithlessness or the cruelty of others, thanks be to God, His love never ceases. We can be refreshed with the love and mercy of our LORD.
Today and every day can be a day filled with hope if we are filled with God’s love. No matter what we face today we can remember that the LORD loves us. In His love we find hope. Jeremiah taught us in Lamentations 3:25-26 that God is good to those whose hope is in Him, who seek Him, and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
Do you need a fresh start today? Take a moment to quietly remember that God loves you and His mercies never end.
Today’s Prayer: Thank You Father God for Your great faithfulness to us. I am pausing now to remember that Your great love for us never ends and Your mercies are forever. Thank You, LORD, for Your love for me. Help me to examine my ways and return to You. I lift my heart and my hands to You now and I am trusting in Your love. Show me Your ways O LORD. Thank You for drawing near when I call on You. I know, LORD, that You are how I find hope. All my hope lies in You. Amen.
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