Day 204: Lamentations 1:1-3:36

I suppose you should expect a book called Lamentations to be sort of a downer...and it is. It is a book full of...well...lamentations. The author is lamenting the situation in which he and his people find themselves. He knows that they are in this situation because of their sin and the fact that they listened to the wrong people.

The visions of your prophets
   were false and worthless;
they did not expose your sin
   to ward off your captivity.
The prophecies they gave you
   were false and misleading. (2:14)

There are times when a spiritual leader is there to show care and compassion and comfort. But if that's the only thing he/she does it is a disservice...and it is misleading. Sometimes the message that needs to be heard and heeded is an uncomfortable one.

Speaking of comfort, I knew this next passage of scripture was in the book of Lamentations and I've always thought that was interesting. One of the most beloved hymns of the church is based on these verses. "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" is a beautiful hymn of comfort and hope. The thing is that this comfort and hope is experienced in the midst of hardship and pain. Here's the context:

I remember my affliction and my wandering,
   the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them,
   and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind
   and therefore I have hope:
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.
I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
   therefore I will wait for him.” (3:19-24)

This is a reminder that God is faithful, no matter what. Our pain and hardship does not negate God's faithfulness. In fact...I wonder if it's even possible to truly experience God's "compassions that never fail" or His "great faithfulness" without some pain and suffering?