Lamentations is a record of how the Jewish people because of their grievous sin were conquered by the Babylonians as punishment. God warned them over and over through His prophets, but they refused to turn away from their sins and back to God. This is the history of nations, as all nations go their own way and end up the target of God’s judgement and wrath. But Jeremiah recalls God’s steadfast love, which is a comprehensive term that encompasses love, grace, mercy, goodness, forgiveness, truth, compassion, and faithfulness. For all those that turn from sin to God in faith, trusting God, God will forgive and relent of the disaster he was to bring upon them. Today we don’t have a living prophet giving us the direct revelation from God, but these words recorded by one of God’s loyal prophets of old gives us the truth and warning our nation needs so desperately, but just like the Israelites ignored Jeremiah and God’s warnings, our nation ignores God now.
Lamentations 3:19–26
[19] Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! [20] My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. [21] But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: [22] The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; [23] they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. [24] “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” [25] The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. [26] It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. (ESV)
Lamentations 3:40–45
[40] Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD! [41] Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven: [42] “We have transgressed and rebelled, and you have not forgiven. [43] “You have wrapped yourself with anger and pursued us, killing without pity; [44] you have wrapped yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can pass through. [45] You have made us scum and garbage among the peoples. (ESV)