"Call to Mind"
EPISODE 96
Find Purpose in Suffering
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Lamentations may feel like one of the longest books in the Bible, but it’s only five chapters. It’s full of challenging and disturbing imagery — with gut-wrenching depictions of the people’s condition without God’s presence. But nestled within this utterly depressing book, Jeremiah calls to mind a hope-filled message. A thought we should think about when we’re facing times of uncertainty and trouble.
“Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:” (Lam. 3:19-21).
His Love Never Ends
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him”” (Lam. 3:22-24).
Have you ever felt abandoned by God? Like the struggles you’re facing in life are too hard? Remember that God’s love never ends! And the blessings of his mercy and faithfulness are new every morning.
Though we lose everything we have, he is still our “portion” or inheritance. His promise of eternal riches for those who love him cannot fail. So, let God’s love and mercy bring you comfort through your trial.
He Doesn’t Want to Punish
“For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, 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” (Lam. 3:31-33).
Like a father enforcing discipline over his children, sometimes God needs to bring us through difficulty for us to come to our senses. But he doesn’t afflict from his heart, or because that’s what he wants.
In a perfect world, we’d never sin, and God would never punish. But as with our earthly fathers, God’s love for us motivates him to correct us. So, let us see God’s correction as an act of love.
Our Sins Are the Problem
“Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come? Why should a living man complain, a man, about the punishment of his sins?” (Lam. 3:37-39).
In humility, we acknowledge our collective sinfulness. And it’s sin that brings about the suffering we face. Whether it’s your sins or the sins of another, we cannot blame God when difficulty comes.
He designed a perfect world in which only blessings existed. But man chose to leave his side and violate his law — thus bringing punishment into the picture. So, let us recognize that suffering comes from man and not from the Lord.
May you find hope today, calling to mind God’s love for you, his discipline, and his willingness to rescue you from the pain and suffering of sin.
