Oct 5, 2024
The 2024 edition of Our Best Thought is inspired by our 2024 Bible Reading Plan and features writings thoughtfully crafted by contributors reflecting on their daily devotions. “Our Best Thought“ is taken from the hymn, “Be Thou My Vision” as a reference to God: “Thou my best thought, by day or by night.”
Reading: Lamentations 3
Scripture:
Lamentations 3:19-26
19 I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
20 I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.’
25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
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Observation:
This chapter really captures Jeremiah’s deep sorrow and distress over Jerusalem’s destruction. He reflects on his own suffering and the bitterness that fills his heart, admitting how it weighs on his soul. Yet, in the midst of his pain, Jeremiah shifts his focus and finds hope by remembering God’s unfailing love and mercy. Verse 22 stands out: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” It’s a powerful reminder that even in the toughest times, God’s mercies never run out. Jeremiah recognizes that every new day brings fresh mercies, and God’s faithfulness is steady. Another key theme here is the importance of waiting on God. In verses 24-26, Jeremiah stresses the value of patience, encouraging us to trust in God’s deliverance. Even though things are hard, he holds on to his faith in God’s ultimate salvation.
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Application:
In our lives, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by difficulties, bitterness, or pain, just like Jeremiah did. We can get so caught up in our struggles that it weighs heavily on our hearts. But this passage reminds us to shift our focus, to remember God’s faithfulness and love, even in the middle of hard times. No matter how bad things seem, this chapter reassures us that God’s mercies are new every morning. His love keeps us going, even when we feel like life is too much to handle. It also teaches us the importance of being patient—learning to wait quietly on the Lord and trust His timing, even when we don’t see answers right away. Our strength and hope should come from the fact that God is always faithful.
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Prayer:
Lord, in the midst of our struggles, help us to remember Your faithfulness. Even when our souls feel downcast, remind us of Your new mercies each day. Give us the patience to wait on You, knowing that Your timing is perfect. Help us to trust in Your salvation and to seek You in both the good times and the bad.