Consider This

I remember my affliction…Yet this I call to mind

and therefore I have hope.

Lamentations 3:19, 21

Sandwiched! Troubles behind and troubles on the horizon. We’ve all been there, right? What is your typical response when difficulty hits?

The writer of Lamentations witnessed devastating atrocities against his nation. Death, destruction, and poverty permeated Jerusalem. More troubles were on the horizon as most of the survivors were taken captive to Babylon. What was this writer’s response?

He remembered his affliction and picked up his pen. Guided by the Holy Spirit, he penned four chapters describing the horrific details of God’s judgment that were imprinted upon his mind.

He also recorded raw, honest words of a man in pain. He said of God: He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness rather than light…he has weighed me down with chains…even when I call out or cry for help, he shuts out my prayer…my soul is downcast within me.  (Lamentations 3:1-20).

Have you felt this way? The darkness of your trial made the presence of the Lord seem absent. This writer acknowledged his trials. He courageously exposed his painful feelings. But he did not stop there, nor should we.

Sandwiched in the middle of the four chapters detailing the destruction, the writer proclaimed: …Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope (Lamentations 3:21). What did the writer call to mind? The character of God.  He recalled God’s love, compassion, faithfulness, and goodness. As he shifted his focus from the terrors around him to the Lord, hope was inspired.  

What do you call to mind in the middle of adversity? What do you purposefully choose to set your mind upon? I can choose to focus upon the trial, but that will lead me to despair. Or I can choose to focus upon the character of God, which leads me to hope! You have the same two choices. Which do you choose?

Lord, when trials surround me and my hope begins to wane, strengthen me by your praise-inspiring character.

 Jan Burkhart