783_Hope in the steadfast love of the Lord (Lamentations 3)
Lamentations 3:21-26 But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
25 The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
26 It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
Once a man was traveling in the dark, late at night. He could not see the road ahead, and every step felt uncertain. But far off, he saw a light. It was not bright enough to illuminate the whole place. He could not see all that was ahead of him. Yet it was enough for him to see the next step.
Often, this is what hope does for us. It does not always remove the darkness; but it gives us enough light to keep moving forwards.
We see this kind of hope in Lamentations chapter 3. The writer is in the middle of profound grief. Jerusalem has been destroyed, God’s people are being judged for their rebellion against their God, and he is surrounded by intolerable suffering. His words are a cry of pain, as he speaks about affliction, darkness, bitterness, and rejection. Yet, right in the middle, he turns from his horrifying circumstances to remember who God is.
Lamentations 3:21 says, “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope.” He makes a deliberate choice to remember. So far his suffering engrossed his mind, and his heart was bowed down. But now he remembers who the God of Israel is. And what he remembers gives him hope.
For “the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Despite all the tragedy that surrounds him, he recognizes that there is something that outlasts his circumstances: the steadfast love of God.
The expression “steadfast love” or “lovingkindness,” speaks of God’s covenant faithfulness—His loyal, enduring love toward those with whom He has established His covenant. Israel was cold and unfaithful to God, but God remained faithful to her because faithfulness is at the core of who he is. He might discipline his people in his righteousness and love, but he could not abandon them.
This gives us great encouragement today. God’s love is not like human affection, which can change with the circumstances. We may become discouraged, or wander from Him, but God does not suddenly cease to be God. Second Timothy 2:13 says, “if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.” Our hope is not based on the strength of our love for God but on the unchanging faithfulness of his love for us.
Moreover, “his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.” Every morning is a reminder that God’s mercy has not run out. Yesterday’s failures do not exhaust today’s mercy. Yesterday’s disappointments do not cancel today’s grace. Day by day, his faithfulness precedes us and waits for us.
Therefore, we need not carry the weight of yesterday. There could be things we regret, things we cannot change, things that we fear will define our future. But the prophet reminds us that God’s faithful love is the one unchangeable reality in all of time. The gospel of our Lord brings this truth into the light even more clearly. For it tells us that our hope rests on Christ, who is “able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him,” as Hebrews 7:25 says. There is no pit so deep that the grace of God cannot reach us.
And realizing this, the prophet declares: “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” A portion refers to an inheritance, something allotted to a person. The writer knows that he has lost much in the fall of Jerusalem. But he cannot be deprived of the Lord, whose loyal love does not change or run dry.
This gives us a hope that runs deeper than a mere wish that our circumstances will change. Of course, we naturally hope that God will heal the sickness, solve the problem, restore the relationship, provide the opportunity, or remove the difficulty. We should certainly bring all our troubles to Him who is our help. But our hope goes beyond all this, saying, “Even when my life comes crashing down, I still have God Himself.”
Psalm 73:25 also expresses this: “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.”
And because God is faithful, the writer waits in hope. Lamentations 3:25–26 says, “The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” Waiting is not easy. We would much rather have immediate answers and immediate relief. But faith means trusting God when we are in great pain without the prospect of immediate deliverance.
Waiting quietly does not mean doing nothing. Rather, it is an attitude of rest and confidence in the faithfulness and love of God, as we expectantly look to him to unfold his plan. We may not know what tomorrow will bring, but we know who holds tomorrow. We may not understand the path, but we know the One who leads us.
And this hope becomes especially meaningful when we read verses 31–33: “For the Lord will not cast off forever, for, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men.” God’s discipline may be painful, but it is not evidence that He has abandoned His people. His judgment is not the end of the story.
Knowing the steadfast love of our God should therefore lead us to examine our lives. God’s mercy is not permission to continue in sin. Instead, as verse 40 says, “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD! Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven.”
Grace does not encourage us to remain far from God; it gives us courage to come home. Understanding the steadfast love of God, we do not hide from Him in shame. We confess our sins and turn toward Him in repentance.
God’s mercy is not simply meant to comfort us in our grief. We must let it change the direction of our lives. We must consider our ways and turn our hearts back to the God whom we have offended, in heartfelt repentance and obedience.
Lamentations 3 teaches us that hope is not the denial of sorrow. It is the decision to remember God’s love in the midst of sorrow. When our hearts are overwhelmed, we can say, “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope. His mercies never come to an end.” When we wonder whether God has forgotten us, we can remember, “Great is your faithfulness.” and heed the call, “Return to the LORD.”
Therefore, let us hold on to faith and righteousness, not because everything is all right, but because God is faithful. Let us wait on the Lord, not because it is easy to wait, but because the Lord is good. And let us return humbly to our Father, not we have earned the right to come back, but because His steadfast love calls us home.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Great is His faithfulness. And in the darkness, His steadfast love is enough to light our way home. God bless.
Reflection Questions
What circumstances or experiences are currently making it difficult for you to see God’s goodness, and how might deliberately remembering His steadfast love change the way you face them?
Why is it significant that the writer’s hope arises while his circumstances are still painful rather than after everything has been restored?
How does understanding God’s “steadfast love” as covenant faithfulness deepen your confidence in Him when you experience failure, suffering, or spiritual weakness?
What does it mean in practical terms for you to make the Lord your “portion,” especially when other things you depend upon become uncertain?
What areas of your life do you sense God calling you to examine and bring before Him as you seek to “return to the LORD”?
Let us pray
Heavenly Father, Your steadfast love never ceases and Your mercies never come to an end. When we are overwhelmed by sorrow, disappointment, or uncertainty, we will call Your faithfulness to mind and find hope in You. We will recognize Your mercy and trust Your goodness. We will wait patiently for You. We will examine our ways honestly and turn away from our sin, to return to you with sincere hearts.
You are our portion, O Lord. We trust You even in the darkness. In Jesus Christ’s name. Amen
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