PASTOR’S NOTES
With how the book of Lamentations is written, the book often is hard to distinguish who is exactly speaking. Most believe Jeremiah wrote the book of Lamentations, but he writes the book in a poetic form that goes in and out between his words and the words of his people as a whole.
Chapter 3 in the first 20 verses is a good example of the difficultly in interpreting the speaker. In the first 20 verses, Jeremiah speaks at length of what it means to struggle under the hand of God. He speaks with great agony and emotion. This makes us believe that he is speaking from the mouth of his people during the suffering of what their sin brought to them. However, I believe we are hearing from the heart of Jeremiah through his own personal struggle.
In the book of Jeremiah, Jeremiah suffers many hardships. He is mocked, beaten, and placed in jail. We see much of this played out in chapters 36-39 of this book. Jeremiah fully knows what struggle looks like. The emotions connected to living under a sovereign God who has different plans than you desire. I believe Jeremiah is speaking out of his past experiences and relating it to the current sufferings of the people around him. This, I believe, is what gives so much power to verses 21-24.
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed”
Jeremiah has lived in the space of where hope was hard to come by and personally experienced his God come to the rescue with “daily mercies.” Lamentations 3 has many rich and famous verses. Verses we have read and heard many times. I hope knowing more of the backstory and history blesses these wonderful verses for you even more!
SCRIPTURE TO GO ALONG WITH THE MESSAGE
Read Jeremiah 38:1-6 as we see Jeremiah’s past struggle give light to his words in the first part of chapter 3 in Lamentations.
HIGHLIGHT IN YOUR BIBLES
Highlight verses 21-24in Lamentations 3.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
1 Have you ever experienced a time where you thought there was no hope? Even during a time you were a believer?
2.) How did you see God come to your aid during that time? Do you believe that your struggle gave power to His mercy?
3.) God promises “daily mercies.” How do you see God provide for you daily?
