The prophet Jeremiah, in his terrible despair, is lamenting the horrible state of the city of Jerusalem under seige by foreign enemies. He describes the most desperate of situations.The children are fainting in the streets from hunger, even the unborn children suffer shrunken bodies because their mothers are starving. He is so low and so filled with bitterness that he's eating gravel and dust as he rolls in pain on the ground.
And yet from with his depression he transforms his mind...
Lamentations 3:22-23
"The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."
Things are bad, but it could be worse, tomorrow's another day.
Lamentations 3:24
I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”
For the prophet it is good for the people to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. Accept the insults of your enemies.
Lamentations 3:38-40
"Does not the Most High send both calamity and good? Why should we, mere humans, complain when we are punished for our sins? Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the Lord."
The prophet Jeremiah calls for Jerusalem to confess their unfaithfulness, repent, and do good. He cries out from the pit for salvation from his enemies.
And the Lord...?
Lamentations 3:57
Yes, you came when I called; you told me, “Do not fear.”
Did God say, "you shouldn't be going through this"? Did he wipe out Jeremiah's enemies and break down their seige machines? What did God do?
No.
God restores Jeremiah's strength and sustains his confidence by seeing and hearing him. And he assures Jeremiah and the children of Jerusalem that they should not fear, he assures them that their eternal lives belong to him. Even though they were prostituting themselves to foreign gods. Even though the tenderhearted women have cooked their own children. Even though they have eaten them to survive the siege. Even though they ignore the cries of their children. Even though all this has happened because of the sins of her prophets and her priests,
who defiled the city by shedding innocent blood. Through all these things God remains faithful.
God hears their voices.
Lamentations 5:19
Lord, you remain the same forever! Your throne continues from generation to generation.
Food for thought:
Is the ultimate faithfulness of God's grace, mercy, and justice enough for you?
What is your posture of faith?
Can you cry out to Him and then wait on him?
Is it enough for you to know that God hears you?