“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope”. Lamentations 3:21.

The prophet Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet. He expressed his grief for the afflictions for his people during their exile and the ruin of Jerusalem. As he laments over the circumstances surrounding the Israelites, he recalls the unending mercy of God. His hope was renewed, as he turned his eyes off “self” and focused on to God. Lamentations 3:21 he states, “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope”.

Israel’s sins had brought her to experience God’s chastisement. Jerusalem lay in ruin, and they were once again enslaved and oppressed by the enemy. All seemed hopeless. But God…because of His lovingkindness, in time the walls were rebuilt under the prophet Nehemiah; many of those in exile were able to return to their homeland. “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Lamentations 3:22.

God’s rejection and chastisement of His children when we sin is never final or without just cause. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” Hebrews 12:6. Just as Jeremiah, we too must take our eyes off self and place our eyes on the Lord. He loves us beyond our greatest imagination, and we must follow His divine will. Psalm 30:5 reminds us “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

Even in our unfaithfulness to God, His faithfulness, mercy, and compassion are with us forever. “They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:23. That denotes a fresh start, a clean slate each day…that ushers in hope for every tomorrow!

Are not these reassuring words of hope to the soul? “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18. God lovingly and without stretched hands, just as the father of the prodigal son, welcomes us back into fellowship when we truly repent of our sins.

“The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.” Lamentations 3:24. Our afflictions and tribulations work patience in us, which provides the strength to persevere through circumstances that are far beyond our control…yet these experiences grow us in faith, by which we can see the invisible and have hope in the divine compassion and love of God! “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Romans 8:24-25.

My friends, have hope in God-He will provide all the strength and sinew that we need to travel this journey called life! “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31.

Blessings and peace to all!