Why You Should Be Encouraged That 'the Steadfast Love of the Lord Never Ceases'
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Living as a Christian means abiding by the example set before us in Jesus Christ. Our Lord and Savior shows us how to love God, love others, pray, and otherwise lead a faithful life. Despite our duty to live according to His example, the Word also informs us that we along with every other person on Earth have fallen short (Romans 3:23). Since the time of creation in the Garden of Eden, humanity has found itself in opposition to God (Gen. 3). Since then, our inherent sinful nature has led all of humanity to act in ways contradictory to God’s Word. In short, our goal to live like Jesus is one we constantly fail.
However, despite humanity’s constant rebellion since the garden, God has continued to love us. In fact, God’s love can be seen within the lineage of Jesus. He is a descendant through many generations from Adam who committed the original sin (Luke 3:23-38). If God sought to punish humanity for its sinful nature, then why would He send a Savior in the form of a man whose ancestor committed the initial sin? Thankfully, God’s desire to love transcends any desire to punish humankind. His ongoing forgiveness makes Him willing to overlook our sins. We see this time and time again in Scripture.
We find one of many examples in Lamentations. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.” (Lamentations 3:22, ESV)
God’s limitless mercy explains why He has chosen to love humanity since the time of Adam and Eve in the garden. His love extends into today where we still study the Bible in an effort to better comprehend the mysteries of God. With a better understanding of this verse and its implications, we will better understand why God’s love has no end and why that news is encouraging.
The Context and Meaning of Lamentations 3:22
There is no official authorship for the Book of Lamentations, but scholars of Jewish and Christian backgrounds have pointed to Jeremiah as the most likely writer. The original title for this book is “ekah,” which in Hebrew means “Alas” or How”. Through acts of translation, the title Lamentations was ascribed. Despite a new title, the context of the book is still conveyed appropriately. The definition of lament is to express a very powerful sorrow or grief. The Book of Lamentations expressing mourning very well as the writer communicates the consequences of sin within Jerusalem.
This third chapter of Lamentations continues chronologically with the events of Lamentations 1 and 2. Jerusalem faces the consequences of sin in a variety of ways. Moreover, God has allowed the nation of Jerusalem to deal with the consequences, offering no immediate deliverance. “He has walled me about so that I cannot escape; he has made my chains heavy; though I call and cry for help, he shuts out my prayer.” (Lamentations 3:7-8)
Jeremiah has become so overwhelmed with sorrow that he feels as though his prayers are not being received by God. Not only that, Jeremiah speaks and cites God as more of an adversary than a friend. “He is a bear lying in wait for me, a lion in hiding; he turned aside my steps and tore me to pieces; he has made me desolate; he bent his bow and set me as a target for his arrow.” (Lamentations 3:10-12)
By his own account, God is out to punish them for their transgressions. Instead of having a God who will answer his prayers, Jeremiah feels hunted and targeted. This description sounds contradictory to other descriptions of the Bible where God’s love is mentioned in conjunction with forgiveness and mercy. The contradiction is intentional because it conveys the deep sorrowful state Jeremiah experienced along with others in Jerusalem.
Only later in the passage does he return to the more loving description of God and that includes where he wrote verse 22. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.” (Lamentations 3:22)
However painful the consequences of sin, Jeremiah does not neglect to show his hope in God. He remains faithful spiritually even when emotionally he has become distraught with grief. More importantly, Jeremiah gives insight into God’s methodology. While He allows Jerusalem to suffer, that suffering will not endure forever. God will continue to show mercy to His people no matter their sins, and will not ever let full devastation come upon them.
At the end of the passage, Jeremiah has become so hopeful in God that he writes how the Lord will have vengeance against the enemies of Jerusalem. This chapter has presented God as a foe and friend. Sin may have separated God’s people from Him for a time, but not forever. Now, Christians today can use this same information to not only understand God’s mercy when we sin but better understand His relationship with us.
Why Is This Encouraging for Believers?
The structure of Lamentations 3 is reminiscent of passages like Psalm 13, where the author speaks in a very mournful tone to start, before offering a reversal in the narrative. They move from mourning to rejoicing, knowing that they can put trust in God. These stories are especially important for believers today because these narratives offer reminders of God’s forgiving nature.
In addition, Lamentations 3 gives us proof of God not holding sin against us. He allowed His people to feel the consequences of their actions, but in time restored them in power and reputation. Before Jeremiah experienced this he already had hope. When we sin as believers today, we know with confidence that Jesus Christ died for our sins (Hebrews 9:15). That is evidence that God will not hold sin against us. He will not act like a lion waiting for prey as Jeremiah described Him. Instead, He is a father patiently waiting for us to change from our sinful ways.
This does not mean God won’t allow us to feel the consequences of sin. However, God will forgive sin nonetheless. Knowledge of God’s forgiveness for sins can erase the shame, guilt, and other self-loathing attitudes that some people adopt when they sin. God’s mercy is renewed daily.
How to Apply Lamentations 3 to Our Lives?
Now that we understand Lamentations 3 we can seek to apply God’s word to our lives. The deep sorrowful state of Jeremiah informs us that sin has consequences that not only affect us individually but can affect an entire nation. God is watching over us but will also show us what results from our actions.
We can use this insight to make more spiritually informed decisions in life. If we can on an individual level choose not to sin, there will be benefits we feel for ourselves, but benefits the community feels also. When sin is committed and we feel the effects of bad decisions, we can rest assured that God’s love transcends His desire for punishment. While we may begin our own personal lamenting in prayer like Jeremiah, we can end our prayers just as optimistically.
God loves us and clearly believes we can change our ways. As His mercies are renewed daily, He has given humanity seemingly unlimited changes. There is time for us to change. And when we allow God to change our hearts, that process is called redemption. “You have taken up my cause, O Lord; you have redeemed my life.” (Lamentations 3:58)
When we align ourselves with God, we can rest assured He is aligned with us too. Our lives will better reflect His teachings, and we will better reflect the image of Jesus.
Source
Insight.org, 'The Major Prophets'
Photo credit: Emmanuel Phaeton/Unsplash
