Year of the Bible: Part Seven of TwelveIsampula

Daring to Hope in the Darkest Sorrow

"Lamentation" is a word for a passionate expression of sorrow. Jeremiah watched his nation choose a path that brought the most severe consequences. He had pleaded and warned to no avail, and now as the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and its people, Jeremiah grieved deeply. Think of his heartbreaking sorrow: first remembering Israel's glory days with David and Solomon, but now agonizing as he watched the Babylonian army crush Israel's. He saw the city cut off, starvation, and bloodshed—babies, children, and women dying in the streets. Jeremiah cried till he could cry no more. This was most painful because it didn't need to happen; the nation had so much potential. Much of this tragic hardship was simply the consequence of Israel's stubborn refusal to heed God's instructions for life and blessing and the nation's insistence on "doing its own thing."

While all of us have experienced pain and loss, few have experienced this level of sorrow. But think of the most challenging experiences you have had. We don't usually struggle to remember either our happiest or most traumatically difficult moments. Israel would realize that God meant what He said; He jealously insisted on preserving them to carry His presence to a broken world. Instead of Israel faithfully revealing the true God to a broken world, they themselves had become broken.

Amidst excruciating pain, however, the prophet's hope rested squarely upon God's character, goodness, and mercy. Like Jeremiah, we can dare to hope even when we have messed up the worst! If we got what we deserved, there would be no hope. But, by turning our eyes from our pain and mistakes to God, there is always a path forward.

Question: As you think of the happiest and most difficult seasons you’ve walked through, can you also see the thread of God's mercy that preserved you? Can you believe that the same God who preserved you then can make a way forward for you in every future difficulty, too?

Prayer: Rather than sorrow over potential that seems lost or a tragic turn of events in our nation or families, take time today to turn away from the pain of sadness. Trade that pain and sorrow for faith, confidence, and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, who can turn any situation around and use all things for good to those who love Him.