AP

Lamentations 3:1-3  I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath; he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light; surely against me he turns his hand again and again the whole day long.

There are really only four verses to comment on positively in this chapter (the “Great is Thy Faithfulness” verses, 21-24).  I report this because it has been a real help for me to read through the whole chapter many times in search of another suitable verse!

It is obvious why this faithful prophet wrote in this way.  When the LORD God commissioned him for this task, he first reacted by claiming lack of suitability because of his youth, but God replied: “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.  Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,’ declares the LORD.”  Then the LORD put out his hand and touched [his] mouth.  And the LORD said to [him], “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.  See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1:7-10)  

As we know, the opposition, rejection and pain Jeremiah had to undergo in order to remain true to his calling is probably even greater than he was even anticipating, and it is wonderful that he could speak of God’s ‘great faithfulness’ in the midst of this suffering.  Three things were especially helpful to me as I read through the chapter over and over.  Firstly, the example of Jeremiah’s perseverance in spite of his feeing that, in the light of what he was going through, it was none other than his Sovereign God who was inflicting all this pain (All the 3^rd person singular pronouns in them, ‘his/he’, are referring to God -’Whatever God ordains is right’)!  Secondly that, ultimately, it is a powerful reminder to me that the Lord Jesus Christ (God himself) was willing to go through all this, and more, in order to save me (‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’).

And thirdly, the next time I start feeling sorry for myself in my present circumstances, I will reflect on both these points, and encourage myself to sing with renewed courage and conviction: “Great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness; morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided, great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.  Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow – blessings all mine with ten thousand beside.  Great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness; morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided, great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.” (Thomas Chisholm)

– Bruce Christian