This week in Crisis Counsels we are looking at a passage in the book of Lamentations, which was written by the prophet Jeremiah in the midst of one of the most trying times in the history of history – the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation of many people into exile. The first two and a half chapters of the book are a long lament over the social and personal devastation that Jeremiah had witnessed. The book hits a low point in the middle of chapter three as Jeremiah says, “My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is.” (Lamentation 3:17) But then Jeremiah turns and lifts his heart to God. He says – as we heard yesterday – “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.” (Lamentations 3:21–22) He follows that with this verse:

They [God’s mercies] are new every morning; great is your faithfulness
Lamentations 3:23

With every morning come new blessings from God, and new opportunities. Jeremiah recalls that God never stops working for good. He follows that idea with a phrase that has become the title of a favorite hymn – “great is thy faithfulness.”So Jeremiah encourages us to trust that God will never abandon us. Even if the trouble we face is great, we can rely on the truth that God’s mercy is greater. Great is God’s faithfulness!

Prayer – Lead us, O Lord, as we trust in Your mercies that never end. Click To Tweet

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About the Author

Dr. David A. Palmer has been the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of Kent since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife, Mavis, have three children.