Words of Encouragement and Comfort from Jerimiah

From Lamentations 3

In the midst of suffering, of anger, bitterness, and sorrow, a man cries out to God, wondering what the point of his life has been. A life of service to the One he called King and turned to for everything, in which suffered humiliation, oppression, rejection, and an ignorant, arrogant people turned their backs on him, all because he had followed the directions of his Lord.

The cries sourced in the fact that even after devoting the whole of his heart to this God, the people he had tried to reach for 40 years were suffering in captivity: conquered as they hadn't been for countless generations. But then in all the crying that reached up from his broken heart, he remembered something; something about who the God was that he was serving, and he speaks these words of comfort to encourage his failing heart: words of truth that God had revealed to him all of those 40 years and more. 

vs. 21-26

This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. 

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefor I will hope in him. 

The LORD is good unto him that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. 

Though the circumstances around him failed him, and he knew the wrath of God was strong, he also remembered that it would not last forever. His God of unending mercy would soon lift his hand. 

vs. 31-33 

For the LORD will not cast off for ever: 

But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. 

For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. 

The perfect promises of the LORD (Yahweh) still remained, and there was no need to fear or doubt. They promises of God would still come to pass. El Shaddai would take care of him and all his needs, and he would forget the people. He would redeem them. Even if they had to endure this suffering now, there would be no reason to ever doubt the presence and love of their God. 

  

vs. 57-58 

Thou drewest near in the days that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not. 

O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life. 

The day their hearts were right toward Him again, the Almighty would lift his wrath.