God's Character is Our Cause for Hope

God's Mercy Gives Us Hope

The goal of our sermon this morning is to look at the book of Lamentations and see that God's people go through hard experiences. We cannot change the fact that we go through painful experiences, but can we change the way we experience our situations? Does Lamentations provide the hope we need to get through difficult circumstances that God has decreed for us? The answer is found in Lamentations 3:31-39. God's character, as revealed especially in Lamentations 3, is our cause for hope through suffering.

Lamentations 3:31-33
"For the Lord will not cast off forever, but though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men."

Lamentations might seem like a strange place to find hope, as its name means songs sung at a funeral. Jeremiah has lamented for two chapters about things that cause despair. He even pictures God as an enemy:

Lamentations 2:4-5
"He has bent his bow like an enemy... The Lord has become like an enemy. He has swallowed up Israel."

Chapter 3 begins with more hopelessness:

Lamentations 3:1-2, 6-8
"I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath... He has made me dwell in darkness like the dead of long ago."

Jeremiah says his endurance has perished and his hope from the Lord (Lamentations 3:18). Yet in verse 21, he changes: "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope."

Lamentations 3:22-23
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Jeremiah actively brings God's steadfast love—his covenant love—to his heart, causing hope. This changes how he experiences his situation. He can endure abuse and insults because he views circumstances through the lens of God's character. God's mercies are new every morning; his faithfulness is great.

God promises he will not cast us off forever. Though he causes grief, it is not from his heart. God has bound his glory to our ultimate good in covenant faithfulness. There is an end to suffering, whether in this life or when the Lord returns. We treasure God's love in our hearts, just as he does not delight in our affliction but decrees it with loving purpose.

God's Justice Gives Us Hope

Lamentations 3:37-39
"Who has spoken and it came to pass, if the Lord has not commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and evil come? Why should a living man complain, a man about the punishment of his sins?"

Jerusalem's destruction was due to sin; God's people were rightly punished. This is terrible news because all have sinned. Yet Jeremiah identifies as the sole sufferer under God's wrath, though no specific sin of his caused the judgment. Verse 39 asks why a living man should complain about the punishment of his sins—implying we do not receive that punishment.

The book points to the true Lamenter: Jesus Christ, who suffered God's wrath for our sins. He took our hell so we can have his heaven. Because he is fully God and fully man, his death has infinite value as atonement. God's justice, poured out on Christ, gives us hope of eternal joy without pain.

God's Sovereignty Gives Us Hope

God is completely sovereign, infinite in wisdom, and perfect in love. He wills what is best, knows what is best, and has power to bring it about.

Job 2:10
"Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?"

Jeremiah rhetorically asks if good and evil do not come from the Most High. No one speaks and it happens unless God decrees it. God sovereignly decreed Jerusalem's judgment, yet promises an end to suffering. He causes affliction so we experience his comfort, deals with our sin, and will one day remove its presence.

All affliction comes with loving intention. As Joseph said:

Genesis 50:20
"You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good."

Romans 8:28
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

Even when God feels distant, we remind ourselves of his character. Like Job, considering God's wonders brings repentance and awe amid suffering. God is sovereign over trials to test and refine faith, resulting in praise at Christ's revelation. Whatever our adversity, our Father has a loving purpose in it.