Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 362 – Lamentations 3:19-26 – Keep A Grip On Hope – Growing As Disciples
I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I’ve swallowed. I remember it all—oh, how well I remember— the feeling of hitting the bottom. But there’s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: GOD’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with GOD (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left. GOD proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from GOD. Lamentations 3:19-26 (MSG)
Remember
That is what I will do. What will you do? I will remember your love that never ends and your compassion that never runs out. When will you remember my love and compassion? How will you remember my love and compassion? Is remembering my love and compassion something that may be easier said than done? I’d like to tackle that last question first. Go right ahead, tackle that last question. Remembering your love and compassion is easier said than done. This world and this life is filled with adversity and hardship. This world and life and all its adversity and hardship could easily divert my focus and take my eyes off of you. I could be tempted to focus my heart and mind and life on all that is swirling and raging around me in this world. And at this time, in this current situation, there is plenty to make me fearful and afraid and forgetful of your love and compassion. That would be a big mistake. Why is that? You want me to know your love and compassion. You want me to live in your love and compassion. You want your love and compassion to give me a firm grip on the hope I have in you, right now, and in my eternal future in heaven with you. Yes, I do want you to have a firm grip on all the hope you have in me. It is my love and compassion that will give you hope to carry you through all the adversity and hardship you will face in this life. I get that. I understand. That’s good.
Now, I will tackle your other questions. I’m listening. To remember your love and compassion, I will meet with you in the morning. I will not let a day start without meeting with you. As I am in your presence, I will once again be reminded of your love and compassion for me. Why is that? Each morning as we meet together you will once again, as always and forever, show your love and compassion to me. Yes, I will continually show you my love and compassion as we meet together. As we meet together my heart and mind and life will be focused on you, rather than on all that swirls around me in the world. That’s good. I will be comforted and encouraged and strengthened and given an abundance of hope. Why is that? Because, I know that you have a firm grip on me, and I have a firm grip on you. Nothing could be better than or stronger than that. Yes, we both have a firm grip on each other and that is very good. Thank you, Lord.
Lord, I will remember your love that never ends and your compassion that never runs out. They are new every morning. Your love and compassion is what continues to give me a firm grip on hope. Thank you that your love and compassion has sustained my life. Amen
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