In today’s world we all face what may be
called ‘the impossible!’ Whether it is the reality of continued unemployment,
possible relocation where jobs exist, meeting the ongoing needs of children in
school, transportation, food, paying the bills, or any number of seemingly
‘impossible tasks,’ we often cry out to God for relief. The book of
Lamentations is a book about our emotions and how we deal with them after going
through crisis. The book is a series of Laments dealing with the destruction of
Jerusalem in 586 B.C. But, even if we have not had our city destroyed, we often
look out over the events and realities of our lives with the same emotion.
The Hebrew title for the book is, I
believe, a more appropriate one. The Hebrew title is ‘ekah' or ‘How?’ This is a
question we often ask when looking at the crises in our lives that seemingly 'knock us down.' And we often ask
it of the One who can best comfort us and help us make change, God. In
Lamentations 3:22-23, there are three simple things we must remember in order
to stand up again and move forward with our lives:
1.
The LORD’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease. Think about all the times God has worked in your
life. The word ‘lovingkindness’ describes a love that is filled with mercy. God
is pouring out His mercy in our lives if we are willing to look for it and
receive it.
2.
His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. God is not an angry God who finds delight in seeing
His children hurting. Think of God as the loving Father. Just as you would do
all you can do to help and show compassion to your children, so also God
desires to show His children compassion. Always think of our relationship to
God as Parent/child instead of the strict disciplinarian that often times
accompanies religion. The loving Father who every morning desires to provide
fresh love to His children.
3.
Great is His faithfulness. I like the Greek word that is translated,
resurrection. It is ‘anastasis,’ which means ‘to stand again.’ God in His
faithfulness gives us hope and the strength to ‘stand again.’ With each new
challenge comes renewed strength.
So today if you are faced with an
‘impossible’ challenge or situation remember these three expressions of hope
and trust that the writer of Lamentations stated as he looked out at a great
crisis, a great fear, a great wondering, and said, “how?” God is in control and
will never let us go alone through the reality of life. It is in His reassuring love and our trust in Him, that He proves the definition of 'how' as He walks with us. I've spotted the truth...and daily try to live it. How about you?
Jeff Woolum, Pastor
First Baptist Church, Perrysburg, OH
