Text: Lam.3:21-32.
“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 fo’ him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him. Let him bury his face in the dust— there may yet be hope. Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace. For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.”
Theme: “The LORD’S Great Love!”
The Book of Lamentations consists of five poetic laments over the desolation of the city of Jerusalem. Each poem has twenty-two verses – except piemonte three that has sixty-six verses. The twenty-two verses of the four poems correspond to the Hebrew alphabet.
Lamentation is not unique of the book. Laments are found in the psalms and the authored prophets.
The laments of the book are for collective and individual persons. While the author laments the destruction of the city of God, he says it is the LORD’S punishment for “blatant, God-defying sin and covenat-breaking rebellion.” The Babylonians were merely the LORD’S human agents of divine judgment.
That notwithstanding, the LORD is a loving Father who punishes but consoles and restores.
When we are destroyed by enemies, we may weep, and we may cry out that our enemies are paid back in their own coin. However, the proper response for us is to acknowledge our sin with heartfelt contrition.
Despite present calamities and frustrations, we must not waver in our trust in God’s mercies and faithfulness.
In the midst of misfortunes, the goodness of the LORD remains. He remains the LORD of hope, of love, of faithfulness, salvation, and restoration.
The LORD’S compassion never fails. They come newly every day, for his faithfulness is great.
Let us end with this story by a Jewish rabbi: Two rabbis were moving the the desolate city still freshly destroyed. One rabbi bust into weeping, lamenting how deserted and desolate the city was. Suddenly, the other rabbi burst into joyous laughter. The weeping rabbi turned to his colleague with disappointment. He wondered why he should be junilating instead of lamenting. The laughing rabbi told him, “When I walked through rubble is remembered that our Scripture says, ‘And it came to pass…’, that is why I laughed. I am convinced that this too shall come to pass!”
Yes, my friend, remain in the LORD, or if you have wandered from his presence and are being rebuked, just remember that nothing lasts forever – not even your present condition. We are overcomers in a faithful God.
Sunday prayer: Holy Spirit, help us to see and follow the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our anchor from the LORD in stormy seas. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
20/07/2025.
[Supporting Song]
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end
They are new every morning
New every morning
Great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord
Great is Thy faithfulness.