When we’re experiencing a discouraging situation we have a tendency to spiral downward emotionally. It’s difficult to find hope when the situation appears to be hopeless. That’s how the nation of Israel felt after the fall of Jerusalem. The prophet Jeremiah penned the book of Lamentations as an elegy of sorrow and grief over the fall of Jerusalem. We see in the midst of his lament a bright ray of hope as Jeremiah  shifted his focus from his immediate sorrows to His eternal God:

This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. (Lamentations 3:21)

When you’re in a seemingly hopeless situation, what do you recall to mind? The word hope conveys the idea to wait or expect. Jeremiah focused on the character and faithfulness of his God:

The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Do you see God’s promises as new every morning? Each day is an opportunity to start afresh and trust God. Just as we believe in the sun even when it’s not shining, so we can believe in God even when He is silent. Jeremiah chose to recall God’s unfailing mercy and he reflected upon His everlasting compassion. Although the nation was in a time of despair, Jeremiah chose to trust in God’s faithfulness.

We must not allow our momentary afflictions to allow us to lose sight of God’s power and promises. We will experience deep valleys in our lives, but we must believe that we will get through. We have a tendency to focus on our immediate circumstances and we lose our eternal perspective. Winston Churchill remarked, “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” We need courage to persevere through the difficulties knowing that a new day will dawn. Although the Psalmist was in dire straits, he knew that God would prove Himself faithful:

God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. (Psalm 46:5)

Jeremiah focused upon God’s faithfulness and put his trust in God as he affirmed his confidence in God:

“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. (Lamentations 3:24-25)

Does your hope seem in short supply? Shift your eyes from your troubling circumstances to your faithful God. Your circumstances may remain the same, but your perspective will change. You will realize that regardless of your situation, that you can rest in God’s promises. We do not need to fear the shadows, they simply mean there’s a light shining nearby. May you be encouraged by the faithfulness of God:

It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the LORD. (Lamentations 3:26)

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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