Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. (Lam. 3:22)
Expanded Passage: Lamentations 3:21-24
The angry face in front of me unleashed scathing words. He had asked for an iced drink, but I had made it hot, and now he was telling me what he thought of that. He was right—I really had messed up his order, but now as I absorbed the frustration and anger in his voice, I found myself feeling increasingly small and helpless.
But then I remembered something—I remembered that my manager was a kind, understanding, motherly woman who would have my back. I was sure she would be frustrated with the mistake I had made, but she would still support me and mediate the situation if I asked her to. In that moment, I felt hope breaking through my despair.
Jeremiah had a similar realization in these verses—in a moment of despair, he remembered the goodness of his God. Although his people had been disobedient, they would not be consumed by the affliction that they were enduring because of their disobedience. While it is important for us to receive and remember the affliction that comes about when we wander outside of God’s will, it is equally important for us to allow hope in God to break through. We must feel the weight of our faithlessness and then turn toward the warmth and hope that is found in God’s faithfulness.
Allow hope in God’s faithfulness to break through despair.
Grace Aukerman is a recent Kingswood University graduate who is passionate about coffee and about sharing God’s truth through the written word.
© 2023 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
