Daily Devotion - Lamentations 3:1-23 - "Rest" God Is Our Hope

He hadn't eaten in days.

The city lay in ruins, its buildings torn down, its trees and grass scorched. The temple was utterly destroyed, and the presence of God no longer filled its walls.

Jerusalem was completely devastated and hopeless. Who could have done such a thing?

God.

Because of their rebellious, unrepentant desires to worship other gods and engage in hedonist cultures, the LORD God Almighty allowed the Babylonian Empire to conquer Judah and lay waste to Jerusalem.

Jeremiah had warned them for years, but no one listened. He constantly offered them forgiveness and peace, encouraging them to remember the love their God had for them. Yet not one man, woman or child heeded his words, choosing to follow their fleshly passions.

Now, the men were gone. Now, the children begged for bread that wasn't there, and the women thought of filling their bellies with the flesh of their young.

[Lam 3:16-17 ESV] 16 He has made my teeth grind on gravel, and made me cower in ashes; 17 my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is;

If, then, God had brought devastation on His own people, who could they possibly turn to?

The very same God who afflicted them.

[Lam 3:21-23 ESV] 21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

He Brings Us Through

God will allow us to go through seasons of suffering, knowing that He is in complete control of everything. He also knows that what we are experiencing will ultimately deepen our trust and reliance on Him as it drives us to our knees in daily surrender.

He walks with us through our trials, and has promised to never leave or forsake us.

We have hope, because on the other side of difficulty we find a deeper fellowship with a God who will never abandon us.

Question To Consider

Where do you place your hope when you are going through a rough season?

Prayer For Today

Lord Jesus, You are my only hope. Though I may walk through some of life's greatest challenges, I know that You walk with me, guiding me and calling me to sit at Your feet and rest my weary soul. Thank You for seeing me and for weeping with me. Amen.