Have you been through a lot? Are you still loving God and loving others?
“Remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and bitterness.” (Lamentations 3:19). Jeremiah had been through so much. He describes the feeling of this in verses 1-18. He poured out his life for the nation of Israel to only be persecuted in return:
-Jeremiah beaten and put in stocks. Jer. 20
-Jeremiah’s life threatened. Jer. 26
-Jeremiah’s life’s work destroyed. Jer. 36
-Jeremiah left to die. Jer. 38
-Jeremiah accused falsely. Jer. 43
Yet Jeremiah records, “This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. The Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:21-26
We see Jeremiah lamenting over the people and recognizing the goodness of God. His circumstances didn’t change the character of God nor his love for those in his sphere of influence. His steadfastness points to an even greater love and heart, Jesus! The same happens when we love God and others no matter the circumstance. Walk it out. He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world… and He is glorified through our steadfastness of love in spite of our adversity.
-To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission