In Trouble And In Joy #3 | Great is Your Faithfulness (Lamentations 3:1-36)

In Trouble And In Joy #3 | Great is Your Faithfulness (Lamentations 3:1-36)
1. The Wider Context
(Lamentations 1:1 – 2:22 and 3:37- 5:22).
The book of Lamentations, made up of five laments as we have noted, centring on the Fall of Jerusalem after a lengthy siege in 587-586 BC, is the “most intense and comprehensive minor-key song in the Scriptures” (Mark Vroegop). The high point is in the middle of the book, in the middle of chapter 3; yet even after this, it spirals back into sin and sadness. (Lam. 4: 4-6, 4:10, 4:11-13, 4:16-17, 5:1-7, 5:15-16, 5:20). While not without notes of hope, the scene is bleak, and we continue to lament.
 
2. The Immediate Context: Hope Dies
(Lamentations 3:1-20)
The first 20 verses of chapter 3 are classic poetry, filled with graphic and emotional word-pictures that help us to not only see, but also to feel, the misery of the people and the horror of these days. As the writer says in verse 18, “My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the Lord.”
 
3. Hope Revives
(Lamentations 3:21-36)
We are very thankful to observe that at this point hope revives! We will explore what is behind this stunning turnaround. Please note that the circumstances have not changed, nor has relief arrived. They will eventually return from exile and rebuild the temple and the wall around the city – but that is still decades away. What made the difference to them at this point?