In some ways, it’s easy to call on the Lord for help when some outside issue comes upon us—illness, job problems, weather threats, and so on.
But when we’ve gotten ourselves into a mess because of our own actions, lack of action, thoughtlessness, or selfishness—well, that’s a different story. We’re ashamed. We feel we deserve whatever trouble we’re in, so why would God help us out of it?
Actually, we don’t deserve any blessings or help, whether we’ve done good or bad. God blesses us out of His grace, not what we deserve.
But sometimes the consequences of our actions are designed to bring us to the end of ourselves so we’ll look to Him.
I’ve just finished reading through Jeremiah and Lamentations. The prophet Jeremiah’s task was to warn God’s people of impending judgment. God had reached out to them and sent various messengers for years. But the people continued to worship idols, rely on nations that did not know God for help instead of going to Him, and various other transgressions. Now God was sending the Babylonians to desecrate their land and bring most of the population into exile.
The book of Lamentations is set just after the Babylonian invasion. As the title indicates, the author mourns the devastation. Jerusalem had been under siege for so long before being taken into exile that parents were cannibalizing their own children. People had died. The temple was destroyed. The author says, “I have forgotten what happiness is” (3:17).
In the middle of these Lamentations, the author makes an astonishing statement.
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 (Lamentations 3:19-21).
What does he call to mind?
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.”
The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
It is good for a man that he bear
the yoke in his youth (3:22-27).
In the midst of an utter wreck of his life and country, the writer remembers God’s mercy and faithfulness.
God’s chastening is not a sign that He’s done with us. The ESV note on verses 31-33 says, “[God] sends judgment in order to effect restoration . . . God’s first instinct is not to punish. He only does so when his patience with sinners does not lead to repentance” (p. 1488).
The prophetic books of the Bible are known for their condemnation of sin and warnings to turn back to God. But they are also full of God’s expressions of mercy and pleading in love for the return of his wayward children.
I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, And like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you (Isaiah 44:22, NKJV).
Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he my darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do remember him still. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, declares the Lord (Jeremiah 31:20).
Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? (Ezekiel 18:23).
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster (Joel 2:12-13).
When we’re down in the dust, God doesn’t want us to stay there. He wants to give us hope. He wants us to look up to Him. He wants us to recall His love and mercy and come back to Him.
Let us test and examine our ways,
and return to the Lord!
Let us lift up our hearts and hands
to God in heaven . . .
I called on your name, O Lord,
from the depths of the pit;
you heard my plea, ‘Do not close
your ear to my cry for help!’
You came near when I called on you;
you said, ‘Do not fear!’
You have taken up my cause, O Lord;
you have redeemed my life (Lamentations 3:40-42; 55-58).
(I often link up with some of these bloggers.)
Stray Thoughts 
I love the ‘big picture’ you give here! I notice it also in many Psalms; first, the writer despairs over all the bad stuff. But inevitably, he “calls to mind” the goodness of God and ends things on an ultimately positive note. Thank you for the reminder to call to mind God and his ever-present help today! Now, off to listen to the song since you always post good ones 🙂
I’ve noticed that often in the psalms, too. Perhaps that’s one (of many) reasons to be in God’s Word regularly–so the Holy Spirit can bring to mind the truths there when we need them, especially when circumstances seem to contradict them.
A great reminder that our relationship with God is not based on our own merits or ability to tow the line. God meets us where we are. That’s a wonderful thought.
Amen. The author of Lamentations was just about as low as you can go–yet he found help and hope in remembering God’s Word.
“In the midst of an utter wreck of his life and country, the writer remembers God’s mercy and faithfulness.” Wow, what an encouraging example for us today, Barbara.
It is–he was about as low as one can get, yet he recalled to mind God’s faithfulness and promises and found hope.
I am prone to calling all the wrong things to mind, so I can’t imagine being in Jeremiah’s shoes. He did all the right things, followed God’s instructions perfectly, and yet the people didn’t listen and judgment followed just as he had been assigned to warn them. Those OT prophets were made of stern stuff!
They were! And I do that, too–calling to mind the wrong things. It’s good to fill our minds with Scripture so the Holy Spirit can bring it back to mind.
What a wonderful reminder that even in our bleakest darkest moment our Father is there to help us. It’s the very time to remember that He is not just full of mercy, but that He IS mercy. Thank you, Barbara.
What a good distinction, Dianna–He doesn’t just give mercy, but He is mercy–even when we’re at our lowest.
Barbara, this is such a good post, as you have shared so many powerful thoughts. “In the midst of an utter wreck of his life and country, the writer remembers God’s mercy and faithfulness.” I am so grateful for God’s mercy and faithfulness in my life. I have been reading the minor prophets lately. These Old Testament prophets have much to teach us!
They do. People think of much of the OT as just doom and gloom and warnings. But some of God’s tenderest expressions of love and mercy are found in the prophets.
I’ve always held Jeremiah in high regard, preaching and prophesying for decades as he did–to no avail. I can’t imagine such perseverance. On top of that was the persecution Jeremiah endured. One example: the time he was put down into a muddy well. I know Jeremiah’s strength came from the Lord. And he’ll provide for US too, whatever we require in the circumstances WE have to face. Praise God!
Yes–not only did people not listen to him, but they turned against him and persecuted him. It would be hard to be faithful in such circumstances, but he’s a good example of walking by faith.
This is a beautiful and powerful message. The Lord spoke to me with this passage when a young friend passed away leaving behind 3 small children and a husband. This kind of hope during lamenting is the only thing that got me though it. Thanks!
Such a hard situation. I can only imagine. Thank God for the hope and grace He gives.
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If Jeremiah could call God’s mercies to mind and still have hope in the midst of such absolutely devastating circumstances, surely I can continue to hope in the Lord. That passage from Lamentations is so beautifully infused with hope and peace.