We have all experienced moments of skepticism in life, even toward the things of God. The reassuring narratives we grew up hearing about God’s power to change things may simply become…narratives! Darkness and tough times may have assailed our souls, pushing us further from the truths and promises of God, probably more than any other generation before us. Food and necessities are scarce as leaders sink their greedy teeth into the economy’s lifeblood. There is chaos in the education system, as nepotism, tribalism, and corruption render many diligent, well-learned young people jobless and futureless. Desperation has caused many to opt for self-destructive lifestyles. One really has every reason to lose hope. Will there really be any light at the end of this unending tunnel?
A Resounding Yes in Christ
Well, in Christ, the answer is a resounding YES! God is not detached from our lives as many deem him to be (Romans 8:38-39; Psalm 139:7-9). Every flip of the calendar is a great reminder that in God (and with God), all things can be made new! Regardless of what the days past have brought, we must depend on the unchanging character of our God. He is not incapable of giving us a new song in the dark times or even turning things around. God renews his mercies in our lives despite our difficult circumstances. As we launch into a new season, may we be reminded that our God is not like the seasons of earth—winter, summer, fall, or spring. God is ever constant, steadfast. Whatever season we may be in, he is the same God—the God of hope. And our cry should persistently be, “Lord, renew our strength!”
Lamentations: A Mirror of Our Times
In the book of Lamentations, the prophet, likely Jeremiah, expresses realities that are very relevant for us today. Lamentations 1 describes Jerusalem’s troubles—they are there because of their rebellion. Lamentations 2 displays the repercussions of that rebellion—God’s wrath is upon them. But in Lamentations 3, we find the agent of Jerusalem’s rebirth: God’s faithfulness will rouse them. Knowing that we, too, have been through terrible days and that, in some ways, the heavy hand of the Lord has been upon us, we are reminded that this is not all there is to God. He is a God of faithfulness and hope. If only we trusted him, Jesus is able, as it were, to press the REBOOT button.
Painful Introspection (Lamentations 3:1-20)
Jeremiah starts this chapter by letting us know exactly what his thoughts about God are. He sees God as one who has afflicted him, brought him into darkness, and turned his hand against him and the people of promise. It was clear that the chosen ones seemed like the forsaken ones. He goes on to express the pressure of the moment on his physical being; he feels wasted and broken, besieged and plunged into tribulation. He feels closed in—he cannot hear and cannot be heard by the Lord. There is nowhere to turn for anything. This paints God as a nasty beast, only out to tear them apart and destroy them. Men all around are laughing at them, and they have even forgotten the way of peace. Trouble seems to be everywhere. They have endured until endurance has ended. Their hope, as they look at their current state, is all gone!
This is not far from most of our experiences. God has probably seemed farther away than ever, and nothing seems to make any sense or build our faith. Whether it is due to personal decisions or supernatural dealings, the narrative might be similar. We may be at a place where we are so hopeless that God seems not to be an option at all. What has your plate of suffering and pain looked like recently? Do you have thoughts like the prophet in this chapter? Often when we look at our circumstances—inconsistencies, disparities, joblessness, bad character, and conflicts—we tend to think that that is all there is for us. But Scripture reminds us that God’s dealings may not always excite us (Hebrews 12:11).
In what ways have you experienced this heavy hand of God upon your life in the past? Scripture reminds us that God’s dealings, though painful at times, are working out a greater deal of joy for us than we have ever known (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17). The enemy wants us to think of God as an unfair, inconsiderate Father. But our painful and stressful days are not all there is to our lives. Our God is a God of hope!
Joyful Exultation (Lamentations 3:21-36)
The lament turns when the prophet opens his eyes to another realisation—that with God, it is not all tears and rubble, but there are moments of joy and reprieve. What we see changes when we see it in the light of Christ’s eternal character. “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope!” That is a critical point for the prophet. He had complained about the heavy hand of the Lord upon the nation, yet there was more to consider about God. He remembers the God who dealt with Israel back in the days of Pharaoh and the Red Sea, the wilderness and the miracles, the conquests of the land of promise, the kings and judges, and the fame of God’s name across the globe. He remembers because once upon a time, there was an extension for relationship by God.
Through the tough times, what do you remember about God that stirs you up for tomorrow? The prophet recalls God’s steadfast love and endless mercies (John 3:16). He acknowledges that God is his portion—all-sufficient and always enough (John 15:5). He affirms that God is good, never planning evil, and always working for our good (Psalm 100:5). He understands that trusting God is never in vain, even if it takes longer than we planned (Hebrews 11:6). Afflictions can be good if we respond rightly, as they strengthen our faith (1 Peter 1:6–9; James 1:3). God’s compassion is real; He knows what we are going through and is not aloof (Psalm 103:1–5). God is not sadistic. Everything he allows, even the tough things, he does for our joy and his glory (Hebrews 12:3-11; Psalm 71:20). These are truths we can hold on to in moments of uncertainty and disappointment. Yes, things may not work out the way we have prayed for or desired, but we can opt to throw our weight upon the One who is stronger and greater.
A Hope That Restores
The hope we have as we face what’s next is in God alone. Not what we have or who we are—only God. God’s dealings always end in hope. What dismissals have you faced in this new phase? Is it in the things we do not have, desires that seem out of reach, plans that feel too lofty, or life’s issues that continue to pervade us? Whatever the case, God can press the reboot button and make all things new (Revelation 21:5).
In making all things new, it means there are things of yesterday that the Lord will cause us to know no more, plunging us into a time of joy, providence, security, and acceptance. But it also means that there are things we never knew—challenges, trials, and turmoils—that the Lord will cause us to know, plunging us into a time of trusting and growing in our most holy faith.
To put it another way: new mercies every morning mean new challenges that will demand a constantly renewed passion and pursuit for the Lord. We might and at times will face new victories and top-of-the-mountain moments, but also new troubles and bottom-of-the-valley moments. Our constant hope remains: the steadfast love and unending mercies of God.