Revisiting Lamentations

I read through Lamentations the other day, but didn’t get to write my thoughts like I wanted to. So I revisited it this morning, and I was really encouraged!

In vs. 1-20 we see the author lamenting his lot in life. He is recounting all the reasons he has to not experience the closeness and presence of the Lord. And he is blaming God for all the issues in his life. (Sound like fretting to anyone else? We talked about that recently…)

It is interesting to note in vs. 18 that the word ‘perished’ means “To wander away; to lose oneself.” So perhaps all the blame he was placing on God wasn’t entirely accurate? Perhaps he wandered just a bit?

I may or may not have done the same in the past…

But then in v21-23 we see that he kind of snaps himself out of the funk he is in when he remembers that the Lord is merciful, and has not consumed him, and that He is compassionate without fail.

In vs. 24-26 we see a shift in his thinking. He rehearses to himself the goodness of the Lord. And then from vs. 27 through the end of the chapter, we see he recalls trials, but remembers the compassions of the Lord. He doesn’t forget the hard things he’s been through, but he knows God is with him, and for him, and will lead him.

That was a great encouragement to me today! When my mind and heart may be tempted to blame God for all the wrong in my life and discount my part in Him feeling distant, I can remember who He is and what good He has done in my life- and it can change everything!

Lamentations 3:21-26
(21) This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.(22) It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.(23) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.(24) The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.(25) The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.(26) It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.