Scripture:

“I am the one who has seen the afflictions that come from the rod of the Lord’s anger. He has led me into darkness, shutting out all light. He has turned his hand against me again and again, all day long…Peace has been stripped away, and I have forgotten what prosperity is. I cry out, ‘My splendor is gone! Everything I had hoped for from the Lord is lost!’ The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him’!” Lamentations 3:1-3, 17-24 (NLT)

 

Perspective:

The people of Israel had been exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem, and the extreme heartache over the situation was detailed in Lamentations.  The prophet described how God had turned against the people for their wickedness. Out of desperation, he said that everything that he had hoped for from the Lord was lost. As the prophet detailed how the people had been treated, it affected his perspective of God. He was experiencing insurmountable loss that brought tears and sadness. Grieving over what was lost for the people of Israel was the only way he could process the situation. His expectations of what God would do had not been met. Even so, he turned his attention back to God and reminded himself that God’s mercy was available each and every day, no matter what the days, weeks, or years had lacked.

 

You may be looking at your life, disappointed or disheartened by how God seems to be working or not working at all. Your sentiments might even resemble those in Lamentations when you look at what you had hoped for from God that has not come to fruition. A lack of hope can create a sense of despair in our lives that can’t be easily erased. Your expectations may have not been met. On the brink of losing heart, remember that God’s mercy is available for you in a new way today. Yesterday’s decisions impact our lives, but they hold less weight in comparison with what we do with today. If God seems silent this holiday season, remember and keep remembering His faithfulness and mercy.

 

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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About Hona Amer

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