New Every Morning: A Study in LamentationsSample

What does it say?

God’s unfailing love, compassion, and faithfulness gave Jeremiah hope. He encouraged Judah to examine their ways, confess their rebellion, and wait on the Lord.

What does it mean?

Jeremiah outlined how to endure hardship: wait, hope, seek, examine, and return. Jeremiah was in physical and emotional agony, but rather than sink further into despair, he reflected on the character of God, whose love, compassion, and faithfulness are new each day. Jeremiah was determined to wait for the Lord to deliver a remnant, as He had promised. His hope resided in God’s unfailing love in sparing some rather than exacting judgment on all. Jeremiah’s new perspective encouraged God’s people to confess their sins and return to the Lord after serious self-examination.

How should I respond?

The right to a trouble-free life is a wrong assumption. Only God’s grace spares us from the full consequences of our sinful nature. The question we ponder today isn’t, “Why do we suffer?” but “How do we handle suffering?” What we need is a paradigm shift. Rather than view God in light of your circumstances, view your circumstances in light of God’s character. How has the Lord shown you His love in the middle of a crisis? Meditate on His faithfulness and examine your heart while you wait on God to act, then confess any sin He reveals. Live today in the hope of His great love and compassion.