Dr. Paul Manuel—2008
One of the characteristics of a healthy relationship, especially between a husband and wife, is that they are good to each other and treat each other with respect. That can manifest in several ways, but it should certainly include a willingness to give the other person priority, to put one's partner first.
How does your understanding about God's kindness fit with your faith in Him? That is, can you commit yourself to God if you do not trust that He will do what is best for you? ...You cannot be confident—in any positive way—about the present or about the future if you are not also convinced of His goodness. Only when you are certain that He is looking out for your interests can you be certain that your present circumstances as well as your future prospects will lead to your ultimate advantage.
Furthermore, a person's assertion that God is good is most compelling when circumstances are not good. In other words, how a person reacts to bad news reveals what he believes about God's character. That is the case with Jeremiah's lament after the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem. He grieves over the fall of Israel's capital, but he remains confident that God has not abandoned His people and that He will, in fact, restore them. How can Jeremiah keep His faith in God when his experience seems to indicate that God is finished with Israel? ...Please turn to Lam 3, where we see how the prophet retains his trust in God despite this radical change in circumstance. Looking at v. 21, we see that...
I. What the prophet recalls brings him hope (Lam 3:21-23).
Those listening to Jeremiah are the remnant, and they are probably wondering how he can lament their current state and have a rosy outlook for their future state. Indeed, it is not possible unless one realizes that God's character is consistent, unless one can "call to mind" how God acted in the past and have confidence that He will act that way again. In this manner, what the prophet recalls brings him hope, "and hope does not disappoint" (Rom 5:5a).3
Transition: Jeremiah explains further that a positive outlook requires more than a good memory for God's earlier dealings, for the many examples in history of His faithfulness. It also requires a steadfast commitment to God's program, an assurance that what He promises, He will, in fact, fulfill. Because this second element is about the future, it requires a different technique to maintain. As Jeremiah explains in v. 24...
II. What the prophet repeats bolsters his patience (Lam 3:24-26).
Those listening to Jeremiah, whose lives the Babylonian invasion has all but destroyed, are probably wondering how he can maintain such an optimistic view of the future. Again, it is not possible unless one realizes that God's character is consistent, unless one can "say to [him]self'—several times, if necessary—that, regardless of what has happened and may yet happen, the Lord is still "my portion." He may be all I have, but He is all I need. In this manner, what the prophet repeats bolsters his patience, and patience enables one to "inherit the promises" of God (Heb 6:12b).
At the lowest point in Israel's history (thus far), at a time when all indications point to God's final judgment and abandonment of His chosen people, the prophet does not despair. Jeremiah employs two techniques that he recommends to his readers and that may be helpful to you when circumstances suggest God has abandoned you or does not really care about you. These techniques are recollection and repetition.
When your present circumstances seem overwhelming, when what you are going through seems more than you can bear, think back, not just to a more serene period but to a similar period, to a time that tested your faith and that proved God's faithfulness as He brought you through it.
Before Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and the ensuing Gulf War, Barbara Walters did a story on gender roles in Kuwait. She noted that women customarily walked about ten feet behind their husbands. Later, she returned to Kuwait and observed that the men now walked several yards behind their wives. Ms. Walters approached one of the women for an explanation. "This is marvelous," she exclaimed. "What has enabled women to achieve such respect?" Nonchalantly, the woman replied... "Land mines."That is not the way a husband is good to his wife. It is also not the way God is good to His people. Nevertheless, while He will not put them at risk, they may step ahead of His care and put themselves at risk. Yet even then, they can turn back and experience again The Benevolence of God.
How does your understanding about God's kindness fit with your faith in Him? That is, can you commit yourself to God if you do not trust that He will do what is best for you? ...You cannot be confident—in any positive way—about the present or about the future if you are not also convinced of His goodness. Only when you are certain that He is looking out for your interests can you be certain that your present circumstances as well as your future prospects will lead to your ultimate advantage.
Furthermore, a person's assertion that God is good is most compelling when circumstances are not good. In other words, how a person reacts to bad news reveals what he believes about God's character. That is the case with Jeremiah's lament after the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem. He grieves over the fall of Israel's capital, but he remains confident that God has not abandoned His people and that He will, in fact, restore them. How can Jeremiah keep His faith in God when his experience seems to indicate that God is finished with Israel? ...Please turn to Lam 3, where we see how the prophet retains his trust in God despite this radical change in circumstance. Looking at v. 21, we see that...
I. What the prophet recalls brings him hope (Lam 3:21-23).
Lam 3:21 [T]his I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.The decline in Israel's situation is severe. From being an autonomous nation, able to chart its own course, Israel is now only a shadow of its former self.2
- Its independence has been compromised, and what remains is a vassal state of Babylon with a puppet administrator instead of a Davidic king.
- Its military has been decimated, and what remains can barely offer protection against roving bandits.
- Its population has been exiled, at least the most productive citizens, and those who remain are primarily the poor and destitute.
A. God's mercies are never failing....and...
B. God's mercies are forever new.Looking back through Israel's history, Jeremiah notes repeated examples of God's care for the people, even when they did not deserve it. So the latest calamity to befall them is not the end: "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed." That a remnant remains is proof God still cares for them. Moreover, the future can only get better, "for his compassions...are new every morning."
Those listening to Jeremiah are the remnant, and they are probably wondering how he can lament their current state and have a rosy outlook for their future state. Indeed, it is not possible unless one realizes that God's character is consistent, unless one can "call to mind" how God acted in the past and have confidence that He will act that way again. In this manner, what the prophet recalls brings him hope, "and hope does not disappoint" (Rom 5:5a).3
Transition: Jeremiah explains further that a positive outlook requires more than a good memory for God's earlier dealings, for the many examples in history of His faithfulness. It also requires a steadfast commitment to God's program, an assurance that what He promises, He will, in fact, fulfill. Because this second element is about the future, it requires a different technique to maintain. As Jeremiah explains in v. 24...
II. What the prophet repeats bolsters his patience (Lam 3:24-26).
Lam 3:24 I say to myself,4 "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." 25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.The process Jeremiah outlines may seem artificial, a ginning up of confidence as he tries to talk himself into believing that God is still concerned for Israel, despite all the harm He has allowed Babylon to inflict on Israel. Elsewhere in this book, Jeremiah acknowledges the reason for God's actions, that they constituted proper punishment for the people's rebellion.5 Here, the prophet explains that the Lord is not finished with Israel, that He has great things planned and will yet work for the nation's benefit. Jeremiah mentions two positive elements God's people can anticipate. Furthermore, regardless of how long the delay may seem...
A. God's provision is worth the wait.6...and...
B. God's goodness is worth the wait.7Jeremiah is advocating a principle of faith the author of Hebrews will later spell out.
Heb 11:1 ...faith is the assurance of [things] hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.When God's people have that assurance of God's provision, that conviction of God's goodness, they can "wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord," certain that He will act and that His timing is perfect. All they must do is "hope in Him [and] seek Him" —nothing complicated.
Those listening to Jeremiah, whose lives the Babylonian invasion has all but destroyed, are probably wondering how he can maintain such an optimistic view of the future. Again, it is not possible unless one realizes that God's character is consistent, unless one can "say to [him]self'—several times, if necessary—that, regardless of what has happened and may yet happen, the Lord is still "my portion." He may be all I have, but He is all I need. In this manner, what the prophet repeats bolsters his patience, and patience enables one to "inherit the promises" of God (Heb 6:12b).
At the lowest point in Israel's history (thus far), at a time when all indications point to God's final judgment and abandonment of His chosen people, the prophet does not despair. Jeremiah employs two techniques that he recommends to his readers and that may be helpful to you when circumstances suggest God has abandoned you or does not really care about you. These techniques are recollection and repetition.
When your present circumstances seem overwhelming, when what you are going through seems more than you can bear, think back, not just to a more serene period but to a similar period, to a time that tested your faith and that proved God's faithfulness as He brought you through it.
- Like the prophet, what you recall can bring you hope.
- Like the prophet, what you repeat can bolster your patience.
- As the author of Hebrews says, it is commitment well-placed, because...
Heb 6:11 ...you [must] show...diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 [being] imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
- As the apostle Paul says, it is a confidence well-deserved, because...
At this low point in Israel's history, with everyone, including the righteous, experiencing the aftermath of God's judgment, the situation appears hopelessly bleak. "Not so," says Jeremiah, and he encourages the people to remain faithful to God, for He will surely remain faithful to them. To that end, he offers his example of recollection and repetition. It is an example he would recommend also to you for your difficult situations, because only when you are certain about The Benevolence of God—that He is looking out for your best interests—only then can you be certain that your present circumstances as well as your future prospects will lead to your ultimate advantage.Rom 5:3b ...tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5a and [where God is concerned] hope does not disappoint,
For the Bibliography and Endnotes, see the pdf here.
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Jim Skaggs