Lamentations
3:22-27
"The
steadfast love of the Lord never
ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every
morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will
hope in him.' The Lord is
good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good
that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man that he
bear the yoke in his youth."
How can
Jeremiah say these things in the midst of such devastation and loss? He has
predicted the utter destruction of his homeland. His people will be
slaughtered and taken into captivity for 70 years. His weighty messages
from the Lord have brought him great anguish, as well as, incredible
frustration over Israel's refusal to listen to him and repent from their
idolatry and rebellion. Quite the opposite, they try to kill him several times
because of his faithfulness to warn them of the inevitable disaster to come.
And when it finally does happen, when these horrific prophesies come to
pass, Jeremiah can find no comfort in throwing it in their faces, saying things
like "See, I was right!" "Although those years you taunted
me and would not believe me. I told you this would happen!" No. The
fulfillment of the prophecies was no victory or source of smug satisfaction for
Jeremiah. It was a great tragedy and agonizing grief to him. But after
graphic descriptions of his devastated country and the effect these scenes have
on him, Jeremiah pauses.
He says,
"But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope." Jeremiah
remembers the Lord's steadfast love and that He does not delight in the
suffering of His people, though He causes it. He has great purpose and
beautiful design, even in this mess, to bring Himself glory and to restore His
people to Himself.
As I
reflected on Jeremiah's response to the Babylonian victory over Israel, I could
not help but wonder at the heart of God, in the midst of His intentional
rejection and destruction of His chosen nation. If Jeremiah was so broken
over Israel's fate, how much more the Lord? God may exact punishment on
sin, but He takes no pleasure in destroying men. He says in Ezekiel 18, “Have I
any pleasure in the death of the wicked…and not rather that he should turn from
his way and live?” and “For I have
no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.” He
had to discipline Israel, but He looked to their glorious restoration.
"For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though He cause grief,
He will have compassion according to the abundance of His steadfast love; for
He does not afflict from His heart or
grieve the children of men..." (Jer. 33) Wow. A just and merciful
God who is unswerving in His judgment of sin, but whose heart is not bent on
afflicting and grieving men. Great is His faithfulness! In this
messy context sits the verse we all quote and put on our living room walls.
His mercies are new every morning.
Jeremiah
said it is good to wait patiently for God's salvation. He had hope because of
the joyous reconciliation God revealed to him that would follow the years of
destruction and captivity. Health, healing, abundance of prosperity and
security, restored fortunes, cleansed guilt, forgiven sin and rebellion, a city
with a name of joy, praise, and glory before the other nations of the world,
who would "fear and tremble because of all the good and the prosperity [God]
would provide for it." (Jeremiah 33:6-9). Indeed, God would
not always chide or keep His anger forever. His covenant with His people
is eternal.
We must
identify with Israel, for our natural hearts are the same. We do not desire God, and we have
chosen our own way. The difference is that God has already provided the
ultimate sacrifice for our sin.
His wrath has been spent on His only Son. As you read this famous hymn, take a few moments to meditate
on the grace of God and marvel at His great goodness to us!!
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that left Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
