By Rev. Keith Howard
Lamentations 3:21–26 (NLT)
“This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.” — Lamentations 3:21
Jeremiah is often called the weeping prophet—and for good reason. He lived through national collapse, spiritual rebellion, and personal rejection. In Lamentations 3, we find him at his lowest point. His hope had faded because his eyes were fixed on his pain, his losses, and his limitations.
When Hope Fades
Hope often disappears the same way for us.
We lose hope when:
- We stare too long at our failures instead of God’s forgiveness.
- We measure our future by our past mistakes.
- We look at empty bank accounts, broken relationships, medical reports, or unanswered prayers and conclude, “Nothing will ever change.”
Like a driver staring at the dashboard warning lights instead of the road ahead, we become overwhelmed—not because help is unavailable, but because our focus is misplaced.
Jeremiah reached that place. But then something changed.
A Turning Point: “This I Recall”
In verse 21, Jeremiah makes a deliberate decision:
“Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this.”
Hope returned not because his circumstances changed, but because his focus changed. He lifted his eyes from himself and turned them toward God. What did he remember?
- God’s unfailing love
- God’s deep compassion
- God’s daily mercy
“The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning” (vv. 22–23).
Hope is reborn when we remember who God is—even when life hurts.
From Personal Renewal to Corporate Repentance
Jeremiah’s renewed hope did not stop with him. In verses 40–66, he turns toward the people and calls them to examine their ways, to pray, and to confess their sin. With tears flowing (vv. 48–49), the prophet urges them to lift both hearts and hands to the Lord.
And what did God do?
“You came near when I called on You. You said, ‘Do not fear!’” (v. 57)
God did not ignore the cries of His suffering servant. He drew near. He spoke peace. He restored hope.
Waiting for the Lord
Jeremiah reminds us that hope is often found in holy waiting:
“The LORD is good to those who depend on Him… So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD” (vv. 25–26).
Waiting is not weakness. Waiting is trust. And in the waiting, God still speaks—through His Word, by His Spirit, and with His presence.
A New Day
If God’s compassions are “new every morning” (v. 23), then every day carries fresh hope.
You have the right to begin again.
- Start over—no matter how many times you failed yesterday.
- Depend on His mercies throughout the day.
- Rest in His faithfulness, which never fails.
If God is for you, who can be against you?
Today is not defined by yesterday’s sorrow.
Hope is not exhausted.
Mercy is not depleted.
In Christ, hope comes afresh—every morning. Clothe yourself with love, compassion, and kindness. Putting on the whole armor of God, and being strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
