This morning I read the small but profoundly powerful Book of Lamentations.  This short book is filled with brokenness, heartache, tears, mourning, and deep sorrow.  It doesn’t take long to realize it is speaking about life. Every one of us has gone through difficult and heart-wrenching times.  Today is the anniversary of my dad’s death, and I still feel the pain and loss at his passing. But great is God’s faithfulness. His faithful love is great, and His mercy will never end. 

Jerusalem lay in ruin.  God’s people are starving, cannibalizing one another and wondering where their God is during the pain.  The enemy has laid siege upon the city and the people’s despair and brokenness are palatable in every word. However, God is not done with Jerusalem.  Tucked in the middle part of this solemn book is a wonderful promise: The lovingkindness of God will never cease; His compassion will never fail because His faithfulness is great.  I’ve come to realize it is only in the juxtaposition of life’s heartache and God’s mercy that we see His faithfulness. It is only as we gaze in the mirror of our sinfulness that we can realize that his mercy never fails and they are new every morning. 

The winds of suffering and pain often crash upon our lives.  It is difficult to see God during our heartache and grief. When you are unable to see God or understand His ways, trust in Him, anchor your heart to His faithfulness.  Believe deep in your soul that the Lord is your portion and He is enough and you will find this hope in Him will be sufficient. Don’t expect God to make things “right” today; fathers die of cancer and that can’t be resolved this side of heaven.  Give Him eternity to settle things. Put your hope in Him today, and He will prove Himself faithful today, tomorrow, and every day. I sure miss my dad. But the joy of the Lord is my strength. God is good, He is faithful, He is able, and I have no doubt, He will! 

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

And all I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness

Lord unto me