The Excellent Hope of God

The book of Lamentations was written by and for people who had suffered unimaginable trauma. The Babylonians had torn down the walls of their city, knocked down their homes, burned down the temple, and executed the royal family. Everything they relied on for safety, security, comfort, and even identity had been stripped away.

Trauma can affect us in profound and lasting ways. We might push aside our pain or hide our feelings in an effort to “look on the bright side.” Or maybe we feel it is embarrassing or weak to share our suffering. But God never said we should suffer in silence. Both lamenting the wrong that was done and expressing the difficult emotions that we feel are important and necessary. Lamentations begs to bear witness to pain, to sit with grief, and to give ourselves time to feel its weight, while also reminding us that there is still hope.

In this passage we find this hope. We see a brave act of remembering truths that transcend, though they do not remove or replace, the weight of suffering. We see people in pain who have written the love of God on their very hearts.

Silence

Begin with a time of silence.

Still your body. . .Slow your breathing. . .Quiet your mind.

Focus on being fully present in this moment, right here, right now.

Opening Prayer

God of hope and peace,

I am weary and worn down. Renew me today with Your Spirit. Still my anxious mind, and give me peace. Restore my joy as I turn my thoughts to You.

I invite You to speak to me, to search my heart and shape my life. Show me what is excellent.

Open my eyes to see You. Open my ears to hear Your voice. Open my heart to receive Your Word. Open my hands to accept whatever You give.

Draw close to me, Lord, as I draw close to You.

Amen.

Read & Meditate

Read through Lamentations 3:19-26 three times, taking time to pause and pray and quietly listen to the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart.

1. Read through the passage slowly.

What is one word or phrase that stands out to you?

Pause & Pray

In silence, meditate on this word or phrase.

2. Read through the passage a second time.

This time, prayer through the passage, reading phrase by phrase. Talk to God, pausing to listen and respond to Him as you read.

Pause & Pray

In silence, bring your attention to the present moment.

3. Read through the passage a third time.

Sit in stillness again as you contemplate the word or phrase that stood out to you and how it may apply to your life right now.

Notice

Notice your body: What are you feeling right now?

Notice your thoughts: What are you thinking right now?

Notice your circumstances: What is happening in your life right now?

Compassionately consider these things, and listen to what the Holy Spirit may be revealing to you in light of today’s reading and meditation. What invitation might God be extending to you today? If you would like, take out a journal and write what God is inviting you to.

Surrendering Prayer

As I prepare to enter into the rest of my day, Lord,

May my pace be slow and unhurried, ever aware of Your presence with me.

May my mind be attentive and clear, noticing the gift of every moment.

May my heart be gentle and kind, showing compassion to myself and others.

Help me remember: Even when I’m weary of waiting, You never stop working. When I’m struggling to hold on, You keep holding on to me. When hope is drowned out by darkness and pain, You are the Light—and You are always, always with me.

Today, even if the worst comes, You won’t let go of me, and I won’t let go of hope.

Keep turning my thoughts to whatever is excellent. Transform me to be more like You.

Amen.

Embody

Continue to contemplate the word and invitation God gave you today.

Consider: What is the worst thing that could happen today? How can you choose to hope even in the midst of this big worst-case worry?