I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath; he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light. Lamentations 3:1-2 ESV

I have forgotten what happiness is; so I say, “My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the LORD. Lamentations 3:17b-18 ESV

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The LORD is good to those who wait for him.  Lamentations 21-25a ESV

Our verses for today come from the book of Lamentations. A lament is when we tell God our honest feelings when things in life are not going the way we want them to, sharing our troubles honestly, not just feeling sorry for ourselves.

In our first two verses, Jeremiah, a prophet of God, is lamenting to God that he feels afflicted, troubled, he feels he is in darkness with no light. Jerusalem and God’s Temple have been destroyed and the people taken away to Babylon, a far off country. Jeremiah is sad and lonely and unhappy. He tells God that he has lost his hope. He is being honest with God about how he feels.

And we can also be honest with God about how we feel, we can share our troubles with Him. God’s love is steadfast which means that God loves you forever and that will never change. God is merciful and forgiving. God wants good things for you.

In our third set of verses, Jeremiah, remembers how good God is; the steadfast love of God, that God’s mercies never end, they are new every day, that God is faithful and keeps His promises to us, and that God is good to those who wait for Him. And because of all the good things about God that Jeremiah remembers, he decides that he will hope in God, even in the middle of all his troubles.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 God spoke this verse to Jeremiah to share with all of God’s people and also for all of us today who believe in God and Jesus. God has good plans for you!

This week talk with your parents about lamenting to God when you face troubles. And then like Jeremiah, try to remember all the promises God has made to us, all the ways that God helps and cares for us. Your parents can help you find God’s promises in the Bible. And also, like Jeremiah, keep hoping in God!

Blessings and joy as you remember that God is good to us even in our troubles!