The Book of Lamentations has been referred to as the text of a funeral service for the City of Jerusalem. It is a tear-stained description of a city that was once the “Pride of Israel” which was leveled by the world-dominant Babylonians in 586 BC. Jeremiah warned the people of the coming holocaust and begged the people to repent. But their stubborn hearts resisted Jeremiah’s call to put away idolatry, injustice, immorality, and indifference toward God. The Book of Lamentations is the text Jeremiah wrote of the funeral service for this once great city.  

As the city and temple were burned, those remaining alive were led into captivity in Babylon. And even though the city and temple would be rebuilt, the vibrance and dedication to God that it once had under David and Solomon never returned. Like Jeremiah, Jesus also wept over the city of Jerusalem during the final days of His ministry here on earth. Here is what Jesus said,

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is left to you desolate” (Mt. 23:37-38).

And 40 years after Jesus uttered these words, Jerusalem would once again fall under the mighty sword of Rome.

As Jeremiah watched Jerusalem burn, he remembered his “affliction and wandering, the wormwood and the bitterness,” and yet was still able to utter these words of hope,

“But this I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The LORD’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease and His compassions never fail; They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness” (Lam. 3:21-23)!

I believe that these words from Lamentations inspired the hymn writer to compose the song that we all love, “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” Like Jeremiah, whatever you may be going through, whatever struggles you may be facing, the Lord has great mercy and compassion toward you, and He promises that He will be faithful to guide you through those challenges. He will not leave you nor abandon you. Count on His faithfulness.

But Jeremiah doesn’t stop there. He continues,

“The LORD is my portion, says my soul, therefore I have hope in Him. The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the LORD” (Lam. 3:24-26).

In the midst of his tears, Jeremiah was able to express his confidence in a compassionate God who is faithful in all of His promises. He calls all of us to wait “patiently” as well as “silently,” that is, without grumbling, fussing, or complaining for the “deliverance” of the Lord. And, of course, Jeremiah calls each of us to do the same. So, whatever you may be going through, wait upon the Lord and expect Him to deliver you from your troubles, including such things as doubt, worry, and fear. Let the Lord be our “portion,” that is, let Him be the One toward whom our eyes are fixed, realizing that He is all that we need.

Jeremiah’s confidence and faith can be ours as well. Let’s express it, and then wait to see the “salvation of the Lord.” Blessings to all of you. Peggy and I love and appreciate you very much!!