As I reflect on this passage, I am brought back to a
cathartic song that I always delight in listening to:
I’ve
been through the fire
And
I've been through the flood
I've
been broken into pieces
Seen
lightnin' flashin' from above
But
through it all I remember
That
He loves me
And
He cares
And
He'll never put more on me
Than
I can bear
Yes, Indeed, He will
never put more on us than we can bear. The author of the passage (Prophet
Jeremiah) laments that he is chastised and ‘besieged’ with ‘bitterness and
hardship.’ And although he also laments that he ‘dwells in darkness’ and his
‘paths are crooked’, he remembers one very vital thing- the Lord blesses those
who put their hope in him.
Because
of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for
his compassions never fail.
They
are new every morning;
great
is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3.22-23
During those times when we are faced with difficulties and
adversity, we may find ourselves lamenting and falling into that proverbial
hole of hopelessness and despair. However, just like iron is cast in fire to
become steel, we must see those difficult times as a refining process and
continue to prevail.
Do not lose hope because ‘the city will be rebuilt upon its
ruins’ (Jeremiah 30.18) and ‘the glory of the latter house will be greater than
the former’ (Haggai 2.9).
My
hope cometh from the Lord,
Ijeoma
Umelo
(From Lent Meditations 2011)
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