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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise The prophet said, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lam 3:22–23). How amazing to think that such words of hope are found in the saddest book of the Bible! Yet as long as people will repent and turn to you, they will find that you are there, ready to welcome them back with arms of forgiveness. Hallelujah! Today in Your Word Today you shared with me the second part of your lament over the destruction of Jerusalem. As a whole, Lamentations answers this question: ‘How should your people respond to the terrible judgment that had fallen on them because of their wickedness?’ Yesterday, you told them to realize how low they had fallen, to recognize that sin had caused their destruction, and to own the pain of your judgment. Today, you urged them to remember the One they had cast aside: “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases…” (Lam 3:21–22). ‘Oh Jerusalem,’ Lamentations cries, ‘Look up to heaven and see the God you have rejected! His mercies are new every morning. His faithfulness is great. He is good to those who wait for him. This is the God you have traded for idols of wood and stone!’ Next, you told them to accept your punishment of their sin without complaint: “Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins?” (Lam 3:39 NIV). Instead, they should patiently bear the yoke of your discipline: “Let him sit alone in silence when it is laid on him; let him put his mouth in the dust—there may yet be hope” (Lam 3:28–29). Next, you told them to repent of their sin and turn back to you: “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord. My eyes will flow without ceasing, without respite, until the Lord from heaven looks down and sees” (Lam 3:40, 49–50). They had much to be sorry for—they had “transgressed and rebelled” (Lam 3:42)—and godly sorrow always leads to repentance (2 Cor 7:10). Lastly, you told them to leave vengeance in your capable hands: “You will repay them, O Lord, according to the work of their hands” (Lam 3:64). You used the Babylonians to punish Judah, and their swords were stained with the blood of your people. They had accomplished your will, but they would be held accountable for what they had done, for they were a wicked and idolatrous nation. Reflection Though at times it may seem that I’ve done too much and gone too far, Lamentations reminds me that your mercies never come to an end. Your grace is greater than my sin, and your forgiveness is always there if I will humble myself and repent. Request Father, when my soul is bent under the weight of my afflictions, help me to remember, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will hope in him. The Lord is good to those who wait for him” (Lam 3:24–25). Thanksgiving Thank you for the assurance that “the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love” (Lam 3:31–32). Praise the Lord! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “In the Furnace of Thy Love” — Daniel S. Warner. Meditation Verse: Lamentations 3:22.