at a glance
author: Jeremiah.
date: Shortly after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC.
setting: Jerusalem had been utterly destroyed by the Babylonians. The people were killed, tortured or taken as prisoners.
verses to remember: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (3:22–23).
theme to consider: In the midst of hopelessness, Jeremiah had faith in God’s character and in his promise to bring his people back to himself someday.
unchanging truth
Ever have a time in your life when you cried so hard for so long that you literally ran out of tears? Perhaps you felt hurt, afraid, sad or hopeless.
The prophet Jeremiah experienced a time like that, and he knew all too well the reason for his tears (1:8–9). He had spent years pleading with his nation to turn from their sinful ways. But they had refused. God had brought the promised punishment on the land—the nation was devastated, the temple destroyed, the people exiled. It seemed like all of God’s promises for blessings had disappeared with the smoke that rose from the city. The people deserved this punishment, but that didn’t make it any easier to take. So Jeremiah wept.
Through his tears, however, Jeremiah found a glimmer of hope. He knew that God does not forget his promises. He knew that God loves his people. In fact, he loves them enough to discipline them, cleanse them and bring them back to himself. Because of the Lord’s compassion, the people were not completely destroyed. So Jeremiah settled down to hope in the Lord, to “wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD” (3:26).
God sees your tears and shares your pain. When you are in the darkest moments, ask him to show you his glimmer of hope—his great love, compassion and faithfulness that are new every morning. Then wait quietly for him.
1. When you’re hurting, honestly tell your feelings to God. He can take it (1:20–22).
2. No matter how hopeless a situation seems, you can always find hope in God (3:19–24).
3. God promises to answer you, but you may have to wait patiently for him to work your situation out in his way, in his time (3:25–33).