Faithful on Fridays Blog

Even though the book of Lamentations may not your go-to Scripture, it nonetheless has hidden treasures to aid you in times of suffering. Jeremiah understood that the exile of God’s people was well-deserved, yet he still felt their pain. Five times he cried out to God (Ch. 1) that there wasn’t anyone to comfort her or himself, however, he acknowledged God’s right or sovereignty to punish them.

Jeremiah fell back into prayer and confession (Ch. 2), a good place to fall in the midst of troubles. We pour out our hearts to God for ourselves, our children, our family and friends, and even our nation confidently expecting (the definition of hope), God to move.

The hidden treasure begins with 3:18 after Jeremiah vented to God, admitting his hope and endurance was gone, yet he remembered,

I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember. Lamentations 3:20-21

Keep reading for my nugget of truth: my soul. Before you come to Christ you’re driven by that ‘old man’ called the soul. It includes your mind, will, emotions, attitudes, motivations, etc. which can still sin. The Greek word is psukee where we get the words: psyche, psychology, and yes, psycho. In other words, when your inner thoughts forget God’s mercy from your past, you may begin relying on yourself instead of Him; then you become hopeless. However, if you change your thinking, what you rehearse in your mind, returning to God’s sovereignty and goodness, hope during suffering is restored.

God’s love and mercy is loyal, it never runs out, and you can expect them fresh every morning (vs. 23), that’s why …

I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:24

Reminding ourselves that we’re co-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:16-17), Abraham’s offspring and heir (Gal. 3:29, 4:7), inheriting salvation (Heb. 1:14) helps us remember His goodness as we wait, seek, and hope for His actions on our behalf. That kind of self-talk (Ps. 43) makes the waiting during suffering endurable, but we need to remind ourselves of His impeccable and perfect timing. This isn’t about fate, but about God’s will and in life’s uncertainties.

Let’s force our soul to remember that suffering is temporary, God is eternal, but there’s always purpose.

But Lord, You remain the same forever! Your throne continues from generation to generation.

Lamentations 5:19

The comfort that Jeremiah couldn’t find in Ch. 1 is what we have now,

And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not, neither knows Him: but ye know Him; for He dwells with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

John 14:16-18

Jesus was clear: It’s all about Him.