The Pain

Lamentations 3

Scholars believe the author of Lamentations had just witnessed the decimation of his city at the hand of his enemy: the Babylonians. Picture it. Temples destroyed, family and friends taken captive, and God’s people left wondering if their Lord would avenge them. In the wake of such tragedy, the author withholds nothing from God in his powerful lament. His cries are guttural, and his pain is obvious, but what’s most compelling is his firm belief that despite the horrors he witnessed, God was still there, listening. It was by faith that this servant held onto hope with everything he had, and so must we.

While sin has caused unspeakable brokenness in this world, it cannot extinguish the greater hope we have in the Lord Almighty who sacrificed His son so that we could be set free to live eternally in His kingdom enveloped by His goodness and His glory. As Christians, we were never promised a painless life; we were promised a Savior who, having never given into temptation, would pay the penalty of our sins and the price of our salvation. In the face of suffering, we have a beautiful and bountiful hope in Jesus. He sees us, He knows us, and He has redeemed us.

Prayer:

Lord, help us to cling to you in every circumstance, remembering that you are our one, true hope.

Question to consider:

How do you respond in seasons of suffering? Do you distance yourself from God, or do you lean into His presence, lamenting with Him?