Great Is Your Faithfulness

Great Is Your FaithfulnessText: Lamentations 3:19-26

Jeremiah spoke of God’s mercy and compassion being new every morning. He praised God for His faithfulness, despite the sad conditions that existed around him. In this lesson, we are going to notice what Jeremiah said about the faithfulness of God. This should encourage us to put our trust (or keep our trust) in Him.

We Will Suffer in Life

  • Jeremiah called attention to his suffering (v. 19) – he had already mentioned his affliction (v. 1), physical ailments (v. 4), unanswered prayers (v. 8), mockery (v. 14), and depression (v. 17); Jeremiah dwelled on these things (v. 20)
  • Jeremiah was not the only one in the Bible to face depression – Elijah (1 Kings 19:4); Job (Job 10:1)
  • We will suffer in this life (Job 14:1) – we must cast our anxieties on the Lord (1 Peter 5:7); in addition to the suffering common to all, we will suffer as Christians (1 Peter 4:12, 16); but even when we face depressing circumstances, we have hope

Yet We Have Hope

  • Despite everything Jeremiah faced, he was able to recall something that gave him hope (v. 21) – he may have still felt depressed, but he had hope because of God’s mercy and compassion
  • Hope is essential if we are to endure the hardships of life – hope saves us (Romans 8:24); it gets us through the difficulties we face (Romans 8:25)
  • We cannot compare our difficulties with Jeremiah’s (or anyone else), though we often want to do this – everyone’s circumstances are different, and everyone faces hardships differently; but we have an advantage over Jeremiah (Hebrews 11:39-40); we can see that God’s plan has been carried out in Christ

How Can We Have Hope?

  • God is merciful (v. 22) – God will punish the disobedient (Romans 6:23), but He has not done so yet (2 Peter 3:9); every new day is an example of God’s mercy; we must not take it for granted (2 Peter 3:10; cf. Romans 2:4-6)
  • God is faithful (v. 23) – this is the idea of stability; God will not forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6); He will not allow us to be in a situation we cannot handle (1 Corinthians 10:13); it may be difficult, but it will be bearable
  • God is our portion (v. 24) – David made the same point (Psalm 119:57); this means an allotment or the share of an inheritance; God offers us an inheritance (1 Peter 1:4) that is better than anything in this world (Matthew 16:26)
  • God is good (v. 25) – every good thing is from Him (James 1:17); plus, He rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6); however, not everyone will receive His goodness (Romans 11:22); we must obey Him (Hebrews 5:9)

We Must Wait Silently for Salvation

  • Remember, God is our portion (v. 24) – our inheritance; we must wait for it; we need patience to receive His promises (Hebrews 6:12)
  • Do not fall away – remain faithful until death (Revelation 2:10)

Conclusion

  • Like Jeremiah, we may face lamentable conditions – yet despite our suffering, we have hope
  • Do not forget God’s goodness – let us follow Him and patiently wait for the eternal reward of heaven