Devotional: Applying the Bible to my today.
Read: Lamentations 3:22-23
By Dave Dunson
The word “lament” means, “a passionate expression of grief and sorrow”. The book of Lamentations was written after the destruction caused by the Babylonians when they conquered Jerusalem. Most of the population was taken back to Babylon as captives. However, a small number of people could remain in the destroyed city of Jerusalem. To express their deep shame and grief over the destruction of their home, they wrote songs and prose about the city’s suffering and desolation. In their lament they both confessed their sin and called out to God for help.
Yet, in Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV), we find these four beautiful expressions of hope.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases”. Even in our loss and grief, the Lord never stops loving us.
“His mercies never come to an end”. We can never exhaust God mercy and compassion.
“They are new every morning”. Each day’s blessings are designed for what God knows we’ll face.
“Great is your faithfulness”. God’s trustworthiness allows us to live confidently regardless of our circumstances.
Questions:
- What would you write as a lament concerning the current COVID-19 pandemic?
- Which of these four characteristics best address the subject of your deepest personal lament?
- From which of the four do you most frequently find relief and comfort?
“Great is Thy Faithfulness” is a wonderful old hymn. As you prepare to pray, read the words of the first verse and chorus.
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father, there is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not, As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!” Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided— “Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!
Heavenly Father, thank you for listening to our deepest laments. Thank you for allowing your Son to be a “man of sorrows” who can understand our grief. Help us Lord, not to get so lost in our problems that we fail to see your love, mercy and faithfulness each day. Help us to know your peace and comfort. In the loving name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Dave Dunson works as a Chaplain for the Tulsa Police Department Chaplaincy Corp and the Pastoral Care Minister at Highland Park Christian Church in Tulsa, OK.
(Note from Halee... While visiting Pastor Kang's church in South Korea, they sang a hymn that was familiar to me. It brought me to tears as I was reminded of how big God is - that He is the God of the world, of all people and all circumstances! The video I am sharing today is "Great is Thy Faithfulness", as mentioned in Dave's devotional; while this is not Pastor Kang's church, I am playing a Korean version with English subtitles. I hope you will find the encouragement and joy that I find in being reminded that, in a time that there's a world-wide pandemic, we have a God with with even greater, eternal powers and love/grace to match.)
Thank You Dave, Halee, and all of you that are providing these devotions for us! I love these daily devotions. It is so very important to stay focused on Jesus. The more we focus on the greatness of our Heavenly Fathers Love for each of us, the easier it becomes to push through these days of staying home and not feel like the walls are caving in! Blessings to you all!
You are so right, Sue! As soon as I take my eyes off Him, I begin to sink. I hope you know how loved and cherished you are though we aren’t able to be together.
Thanks Sue. I have to remind myself that to “Lament” does not mean I don’t trust God – it’s actually that I trust Him enough that I can complain to Him and know that he won’t stop loving me because I have “lamented”.
God’s faithfulness is what keeps me going when I think I can’t handle one more struggle in my life! I’m reminded He isn’t expecting me to get through it in my own strength but with Him and others he has placed in my life I will make it through. I’m thankful for God’s word being an example that it’s ok to lament. Thanks for sharing this encouragement.
You are right Vicki. God has given his approval for us to “lament” to Him. We can trust Him to know both our concerns and the outcomes to them. Thanks for sharing.