For those of you that receive an email when I post, I apologize. Technology is good to me most of the time but has been a challenge today. I accidentally published some of my random thoughts and ideas for posts. So you got a little look behind the scenes. It’s going to be a good Monday School anyway.
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 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.”
Lamentations 3:21-24
These are verses that are quoted often. To encourage. To give hope. To remind.
If you read the entire book of Lamentations or at least all of Chapter 3 you’ll understand better the power of the words. They were written by a man who’d seen dark days. Weighed down by chains, torn apart, mangled, and cowered in ashes are some of the ways he described the suffering. The saddest words are these: “I have forgotten what happiness is. My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the Lord.”
“But this I call to mind….” Another version of the Bible uses yet instead of but to begin the sentence. Either way, the man remembers. And the remembering gives him clearer vision. Then he keeps remembering other things like, God’s forever love and His never ending mercies. He recalls God’s faithfulness and because of all the remembering the man has renewed hope.
This man who felt enveloped in darkness with teeth broken by gravel. This man who complained about being taunted and filled with bitterness is filled with hope and proclaims the goodness of the Lord.
I think the way the author remembered the steadfast love, faithfulness and mercies of God is by looking back at his own story and others too. Maybe it was a small thing or a life-changing event. But he remembered something good. Maybe it was something tragic but something good came from it. Perhaps he remembered his friends or other loved ones, good times and good food. Maybe he looked at the sunrise, the lake, and the stars and remembered the Designer.
Whatever it was, the remembering was good and needed and changed everything.
The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
Lamentations 3:25
mariegriffith.me 
Now that’s more like it! Great post!
On Jan 22, 2018 10:23 PM, “Live Like It Matters” wrote:
> mariegriffith posted: “For those of you that receive an email when I post, > I apologize. Technology is good to me most of the time but has been a > challenge today. I accidentally published some of my random thoughts and > ideas for posts. So you got a little look behind the scenes.” >
😀
Yes! I love the book of Lamentations as Jeremiah–the weeping prophet– pulls back the curtain and allows us to see the depth of his faith… faith that “recalls” God’s mercy and grace even in the midst of dark days (as you so beautifully remind us). Wonderful post! 🙂
Thank you Lynn. I’ve “called to mind” God’s goodness even today.
Yes! Yes! Yes!!!!
Thank you so much for you thoughts and scripture today. I have gotten too overwhelmed lately. Often the loneliness smothers me and I forget. Forget to remember my God and Savior enough in those moments. I will remind myself of the word FROG that I have used so often in the past. It stands for Forever Rely On God. If I do that I will be okay. Thank you for your gentle reminder. Love Charlotte
Charlotte, thank you for your encouraging words. I’m sorry you feel overwhelmed and lonely. Continue to cling to God and the promises in His Word. May God overwhelm you with peace and rest and flood you with memories of His faithfulness. God is such a patient and kind Father….He’s there with you in your darkest moments….He is with you always. When you’re this way let’s plan lunch or something.
I needed this reminder today. Thanks for sharing ❤
We all need a reminder every now and then. Glad it helped.