Day 11: I Remember, Therefore I Have Hope

There’s a familiar and beloved passage of scripture in the book of Lamentations that is interestingly sandwiched between hope, quite literally. 

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. Lamentations 3:22-24a

But often overlooked is the verse right before it and the one that concludes the passage. The book of Lamentations is full of mourning and questions about the destruction of Jerusalem and the sin of Israel. It has description after description of the ruin and hardship, but then the author makes a turn in his perspective. He writes, 

 “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” And then as to emphasize the things he remembered, he repeats, “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:21-24

If we take our cues from the author of Lamentations, we can mourn the state of our world and ask questions. We can describe a bazaar year full of injustice, unrest, pandemic, isolation, disruptions, with no end in sight. But then, we have to call to mind the never changing, unceasing great faithfulness of God. As we do, we will find hope waiting for us.

But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. Psalm 147:11

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:2

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