Great Is Thy Faithfulness

The little book of Lamentations in the Old Testament is a worthwhile read. Though the author remains nameless, there is ample evidence both within the text and from Jewish and Christian tradition to ascribe authorship to the prophet Jeremiah. Written in Hebrew, the original title was taken from the book's first word, ʾêk̠âh, translated "Alas!" or "How," which gives the impression of weeping or lamenting over some hard time or sad event (Charles H. Dyer, "Lamentations," in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament, ed. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck [Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1985], 1207). The Septuagint and Vulgate translators named the book Lamentations to better describe the contents (Ibid).

In these five chapters we see the prophet agonizing over the Babylonian invasion of 586 BC and the destruction of Jerusalem. He is lamenting and weeping over what he witnessed firsthand. Yet right in the middle of the book, in chapter three, he speaks words of hope. He begins in this way, "This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope" (Lam. 3:21). And the prophet concludes in verse 24, "'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I hope in Him!'"

In the midst of hard times, sad times, the prophet finds hope! The two intervening verses reveal what gave him such hope. First, in verse 22 he says, "Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not." God is a compassionate and loving God. Moses told God's people, "For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath" (Deut. 4:31, NIV). As Nahum 1:7 says, "The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him." God is your stronghold. He pours out His mercies upon you every day to lead you through the hard times. Trust Him because your hope is in Him.

Verse 23 finishes the thought: "They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness." God's mercies are there every moment of every day. All we have to do is rest in Him. Trust in the Lord in every circumstance. Get out of the way and let Him work. He will meet the need and bring you through it to a closer walk with Him. His faithfulness is great. It never fails. And God will never fail you. He is your hope. Trust Him. Amen.