THE STEADFAST LOVE OF THE LORD 

Lamentations 3:19-39 / Keywords 3:22

Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

 

 3:19 I remember my affliction and my wandering,

    the bitterness and the gall.

20 I well remember them,

    and my soul is downcast within me.

21 Yet this I call to mind

    and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

    for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness.

24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;

    therefore I will wait for him.”

25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,

    to the one who seeks him;

26 it is good to wait quietly

    for the salvation of the Lord.

27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke

    while he is young.

28 Let him sit alone in silence,

    for the Lord has laid it on him.

29 Let him bury his face in the dust—

    there may yet be hope.

30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him,

    and let him be filled with disgrace.

31 For no one is cast off

    by the Lord forever.

32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,

    so great is his unfailing love.

33 For he does not willingly bring affliction

    or grief to anyone.

34 To crush underfoot

    all prisoners in the land,

35 to deny people their rights

    before the Most High,

36 to deprive them of justice—

    would not the Lord see such things?

37 Who can speak and have it happen

    if the Lord has not decreed it?

38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High

    that both calamities and good things come?

39 Why should the living complain

    when punished for their sins?

1. The author remembers and acknowledges his suffering and bitterness (wormwood and gall). He knows he is afflicted in this way because of his grievous sin and the sin of all his people. His soul is weighed down with sorrow. His back is bent from his burden. But despite all this, he still calls to mind the steadfast love of the Lord. His love and mercy to his people never ends. Therefore, he has hope. When we remember the steadfast love of the Lord, we too have hope to overcome all hardships. The author knows that suffering is not his portion. His portion is the Lord. So let us seek the Lord and quietly wait on him.

 

2. That the Lord loves steadfastly does not mean he will not punish sin. He does, and he does so severely! But he does not stay angry forever. He causes grief, but he also has great compassion. He punishes in his love for us, in hope that we will repent and turn back to him. God’s love is steadfast for those who repent and seek him.

 

Prayer Father, even though we are sinners, you love us with a love no one can ever match. Bless us to reside in the steadfast love of the Lord all our days.

One Word The love of the Lord never ceases