[:en]SCRIPTURE: LAMENTATION 3
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness, say to myself, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for him.” (Lamentation 3:22-24)
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young” (Lamentation 3:26-27)
“For me are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to eh children of men” (Lamentation 3:31-33)
“Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins?” (Lamentation 3:39)
“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” (Lamentation 3:40
“You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.” O Lord, you took up my case; you redeemed my life” (Lamentation 3:57-58)
This was the experience Jeremiah had while he was in grief:
- Looking at Himself (vs. 1-18) – He was an aged man of affliction in darkness with broken bones. He was like a bear lying in wait and a lion in hiding. His heart was pierced with arrows and his teeth broken with gravel. He was in bitterness and hardship with no one to help him.
- Looking at the Lord (vs. 19-39) – He saw God’s unfailing love, His great compassion and everlasting faithfulness. He had renewed hope for God does not cast off man forever.
- Looking at the People (vs. 40-66) – He called them for a time of prayer and confession of sin. He pleaded with the people to lift their hearts and hands to the Lord and ask Him for forgiveness and mercy.
When we call on the Lord, our God, He will come near to you and said: “Do not fear” (v.s 55-57). Today, “fear” has haunted us because of COVID-19 pandemic. Let us claim his promise of “DO NOT FEAR’ for God’s mercies never fail. Great is thy faithfulness.[:]