Meditations on Lamentations...

The book of Lamentations is a collection of five poems of grief that the author uses to express his grief over the impending captivity of Israel.  Though the grief of Lamentations is as deep and heavy as any ever recorded, hope lies at the bottom.  The author does not say "Cheer up!" to himself or anyone else.  He mourns passionately and fully.  But in mourning he looks to recovery.  The author expresses the full and dreadful horror of what he has seen, and he gives God full responsibility.  Yet, remembering that the Lord is a loving God, he counts on God to heal Israel's wounds.  This time of mourning will be followed by another time, a time to dance.  As you read the following passage, take a few moments to think about how it can encourage and challenge you in your walk with God.  The questions following the passage are designed to bring encouragement and challenge where needed.


"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.  I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.  Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:  Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."  Lamentations 3:19-24

This passage offers hope to the afflicted.  How might God be offering you hope through this passage?

Does the passage give you confidence in God's unfailing and faithful love even during trials?

The passage says, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."  Are you finding your contentment in the Lord, or are you looking elsewhere for it (things, pleasure, relationships, etc.)?

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
  Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
    Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
(Intro adapted from the NIV 2011 Student Bible.  Great is Thy Faithfulness, words and music by William Runyan and Thomas Chislom.)