By Ryan Kelly –

You don’t often see an inspirational quote drawn from the Book of Lamentations, but that is exactly what I’m offering to you today. After the conquest of Israel and Judah by Babylon and the exile of the Israelites, the author (likely Jeremiah) expresses his deep pain over the Lord’s affliction on the people and the punishment for their turning away from Him.

Yet even in the midst of Jeremiah’s grief, there is hope. Lamentations 3:19–26 declares: “I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

Here, the lament of the author pauses to express hope in the future. Hope is what motivates us each day, particularly in times of pain and hardship. Life can be difficult, and at times it may feel as though there is no end to the race we are running. But if we run with endurance and stay on God’s narrow path, we can cling to the assurance of the Lord’s great faithfulness to us.

So as you face the challenges of this week, may you be strengthened by the reminder that God’s mercies are new every morning and His faithfulness never fails. Hold fast to hope, for the Lord is with you.