Bitterness and hardness of days. It seemed like that’s all there was because, in the present that was all there was. The misery did not end. Prayers unanswered (Lam 3:44). Life has aged the young so that they walk around like old men.
Where is the hope?
Surprisingly, in this poetic lament hope was said to be out there.
“I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall, I well remember them and my soul is downcast within me. Yes 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” (Lam 3:19-23).
“For men are not cast off by the LORD forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion” (Lam 3:31-32).
It was for sin that Israel was tasting such bitterness. They were dying everywhere, mocked by their enemies, and the living could not stop their tears.
Yet there was hope that one day God would forgive and restore. That the fortunes of Israel would return. It just wasn’t going to be in their lifetimes.
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This lament is the bitterness of life and the hope of the LORD. Long hope, hope that was beyond one’s lifetime which is characteristic of the Middle East, but hope nonetheless.
That hope is an encouragement. It says that as bitter as life is, there will one day be a restoration.
At the same time it’s a hard pill to swallow for Israel that it wouldn’t happen in the lifetime of the writers or those currently experiencing the horror of exile and captivity.
This is a hard chapter for me to read today honestly. Just where I’m at personally. Yet there is hope in these words. Hope that one day the Lord will restore. I need to grab on to that hope.
