Lament

We’ve all felt like expressing our sorrows in a lament. Jeremiah did so, expressing the views of the nation of Israel at the sight of their beloved Jerusalem in ruins after its conquest by Babylon in 586 BC. A lament means “cry out.” In the middle of his wailing, Jeremiah is reminded by his spirit of needing to come before God with humility and hope, and in the middle of the sorrow of Lamentations 3, one of the most beautiful and comforting phrases is also written: “This I recall in my mind, therefor I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness.” Amen.