When You Can’t Go On
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed . . . great is [His] faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22–23
READ Lamentations 3:21–23
In 2006, my dad was diagnosed with a
neurological disease that robbed him of his memory, speech, and control
over body movements. He became bedridden in 2011 and continues to be
cared for by my mom at home. The beginning of his illness was a dark
time. I was fearful: I knew nothing about caring for a sick person, and I
was anxious about finances and my mom’s health. The words of
Lamentations 3:22 helped me get up many mornings when the light was as
gray as the state of my heart: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed.” The Hebrew word for “consumed” means “to be used up completely” or “to come to an end.” God’s
great love enables us to go on, to get up to face the day. Our trials
may feel overwhelming, but we won’t be destroyed by them because God’s
love is far greater!
There are many times I can recount when God has shown His faithful,
loving ways to my family. I saw His provision in the kindness of
relatives and friends, the wise counsel of doctors, financial provision,
and the reminder in our hearts that—one day—my dad will be whole again
in heaven. If you’re going through a dark time, don’t lose hope.
God can help you to not be consumed by what you face. Keep trusting in
His faithful love and provision for you.
By Karen Huang |
In the midst of difficulty, where do you go for strength? How can you remind yourself to trust in God’s great love?
Father, help me to keep trusting You. Open my eyes so I can see Your love and faithfulness. | | | | |
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The writer of Lamentations isn’t named, but
there are reasons to believe Jeremiah wrote this book. Having prophesied
for some forty-seven years (627–580 bc)
to a disobedient, disbelieving Judah, Jeremiah writes as an eyewitness,
lamenting the destruction and devastation that occurred when the
Babylonian army marched into Jerusalem. For two years (588–586 bc
), Nebuchadnezzar besieged the city. Second Kings 25:1–4 tells of
the desperate conditions within it (Lamentations 2:20; 4:10). Jeremiah
witnessed the eventual destruction of the city and temple (Jeremiah
52:12–27). In five emotionally charged dirges or funeral laments,
Jeremiah describes the sufferings of the people and the reasons for
them. The prophet also writes of hope in the midst of despair
(Lamentations 3:21–32). God, who has rightly judged their
unfaithfulness, is still their hope. He’s the God of compassion,
faithfulness, and salvation (vv. 21–26).
K. T. Sim
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