It’s one thing to speak of God’s faithfulness when life feels full and steady. It’s another to cling to it in the middle of heartache, loss, or confusion. Jeremiah, lamenting over the devastation of Jerusalem, doesn’t deny the pain. His words bleed sorrow and grief. Yet even here—in the ash and silence—he reaches for hope. Not because circumstances have changed, but because God hasn’t. Some of the deepest declarations of faith are born right in the middle of the ache.
“Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!” (Lamentations 3:21–23, BSB)
Devotional Thought
This is not a naive optimism. The verses just before these are heavy with anguish: “I have forgotten what happiness is… my soul has been deprived of peace” (vv.17–18). And yet, a shift happens—not because Jeremiah’s situation improves, but because he chooses to remember something deeper than pain: “I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope.” What he recalls is not his strength, nor the strength of others, but the covenant love and unending mercy of God.
The Hebrew word for “loving devotion” is chesed—a loyal, steadfast love that does not give up. Jeremiah sees ruins all around, yet declares: “We are not consumed.” Why? Because God’s mercies are still arriving, fresh with each dawn. When yesterday’s grief feels unbearable, today’s mercies meet us in quiet, often unnoticed ways. The sun rises. Breath fills our lungs. The Spirit whispers comfort again.
Jesus is the full expression of this mercy. His compassion led Him to the cross, where He bore our sorrow and sin, ensuring we would never face suffering alone. And He rose again, securing our hope even in the darkest valleys. Because of Him, mercy will always find us in the morning. Even if we wake with tears, we do not wake alone.
Application
When despair feels near, don’t numb it or pretend it isn’t there—name it, then speak truth to it. Call to mind God’s steadfast love. Remind your soul daily: His mercies are still arriving. His faithfulness is still holding you.
Cross References
Prayer
Faithful God, thank You that Your mercy meets us even in broken places. Help us remember what is true when our hearts are heavy. Teach us to hope again—not in changing circumstances, but in Your unchanging love. Your faithfulness is our anchor. Amen.
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