MERCIES EACH MORNING
God gave Jeremiah a tough assignment. He called the prophet to preach to people who stubbornly refused to hear. They bitterly rejected his message that Babylon would one day destroy Jerusalem. On one occasion, the men of his hometown—friends from his youth—plotted to kill him. Another time, he was stoned and left for dead. He was even thrown into a cistern filled with mud, and would have perished if a foreigner hadn’t rescued him.
But perhaps his greatest heartbreak was witnessing the fulfillment of his prophecy. Babylon’s army invaded Jerusalem, destroying everything—homes, city walls, and worst of all, the temple. Most of his fellow citizens perished under Babylonian swords or were taken into exile. Afterwards, Jeremiah walked through Jerusalem, surveying piles of rubble and smoldering embers of what had once been God’s city. He began to weep—not merely a whimper—but a heart-wrenching lament. He recorded his thoughts in a Bible book, fittingly named “Lamentations.”
In chapter 3 he wrote, “The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. 20 I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. 21 Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: 22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. 24 I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’” (NLT).
Even as Jeremiah bitterly wept the loss of God’s holy city, he halted, recognizing his only hope was in the Lord—not in outward circumstances. God reminded the prophet that his mercies are new every morning, bringing him hope in the midst of utter despair.
That’s still true. No matter what situation we’re in, our only hope is in the Lord. Our conditions are certainly not as extreme, but the solution to every struggle is identical to Jeremiah’s—whether individually or as a nation. As many of us lament what’s happening in our world—especially for us living in California—it’s crucial to remember where our hope lies. Not in politics, government, economics, or even religion. Like Jeremiah, we can lift our eyes from the rubble around us and look to the One who gives us hope— the Lord God. We find deep encouragement when we recall that his steadfast love never ceases. Only then can we experience enduring hope.
Principle: Our hope is in God alone—even in the midst of suffering.
Ponder:
What hopeless situation are you facing at this time, or in the recent past?
What examples, such as Jeremiah, can you look to for encouragement?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study the book of Lamentations.
Prayer: Lord God, we thank you that your mercies are new every morning. Thank you for the hope you provide, even in the worst of circumstances.
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