Do you cry? Some cry all the time. Others have a hard time mustering a tear. Jeremiah was probably in the first category. His words in Jeremiah 8 and 9 came to me in the aftermath of the tragic shooting at the church in Sutherland Springs. We weep over the slain of God’s people. Jeremiah said, “If only my head were a fountain so that I could cry.”
In the book of Lamentations Jeremiah tells us how he really feels. Like C. S. Lewis’s A Grief Observed, at times Jeremiah pulls off the gloves in his relationship with God. In the midst of his deep lament, Jeremiah comforts himself and his readers with these words, “I have hope.” Only God’s great love prevents us from being consumed. His compassions, tender mercies never fail. God’s mercies arrive with the sunrise and stay through the whole day. His faithfulness is great!
Some years ago a great servant in one of our churches went home suddenly at a picnic. One second Lonnie Watson was with his family, the next he was with his Lord. I called his son to check on him and he said to me, “Pastor, the words of the song keep coming to me: ‘My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.’”
When life seems hopeless, call these words to mind and have hope. God’s love will never let you down and never let you go. Receive his mercy every morning.
