This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” (Lam. 3:21-24).
Do you ever find yourself being caught up in what the world calls “news” (which really isn’t anything but a rehash of the same old stuff by self-absorbed talking heads and overdue-for-retirement political pundits)? It’s easy to do, isn’t it? Right now it is especially so, as financial gloom-and-doom reports abound, terrorist nations obtain nuclear power, and the moral breakdown of society escalates at levels never before imagined. And yet…
This morning as I prayed and sought God for a word of encouragement, He directed me to the Book of Lamentations—a seemingly odd place to find a word of hope or a ray of light. But as I read, I knew this was indeed the place I needed to be in the Scriptures to see God’s faithfulness most clearly. For you see, dear ones, it is in when our world seems darkest that God’s light shines brightest. The key is to remember where our hope lies…and where it does not.
Regardless of our political persuasion, if we truly want to shine God’s light in a dark world, we must first understand that no human candidate for office can “save” us from the messes of our own making. No President or Senator, Congressman or Judge can clean up the dirt of human sin.
Whether we consider ourselves conservative or liberal, Republican or Democrat (or none of the above), we cannot reject and rebel against God without ultimately reaping the consequences of a godless society. And yet—as is so clearly demonstrated in the Book of Lamentations, written by God through the hand of the “weeping prophet,” Jeremiah—it is in the midst of darkness and despair that true hope is found, and where God’s mercy and compassion and faithfulness are most appreciated.
Regardless of what we see going on around us, beloved, my we hold fast to the promise that God will never leave or forsake His people, and that where two or more of us are gathered in His name, there He is in our midst. With that as our hope, we can joyfully rest in His mercies, which are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness!
Kathi Macias is a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother—as well as an “occasional radio host” and an award-winning author of more than thirty books, including her popular international Extreme Devotion fiction series from New Hope Publishers.
Thank you for sharing your devotions with us through this column, Kathi.
As usual, Kathi, you peel away the layers to the central nugget. I feel a kindred soul when I read your posts and always go away feeling better and stronger after reading your excellent thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThe old hymn based on that scripture, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," has long been an anchor for me in times of great darkness. When it felt like waves of grief would swallow me whole, that song welled up from the middle of my middle, buoying me on the billows.
ReplyDelete"Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside."
No darkness can swallow that promise.
Thank you, Kathi, for bringing that to mind.
Coming to a place of no hope is a terrible place to be. I know I came to that place before. But once you know the Lord Jesus as your Savior there is always hope, there is always peace, all things are possible, praise God! My sister Cathy needs that hope right now. Please pray for her.
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