Lamentations 3:21-23: “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 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.”
What does our Scripture have to do with Christmas? I struggled with this as I received the verses I was writing on...not the passage itself, because I LOVE this passage. But on how it points to Advent.
As I listened for Holy Spirit to explain it, I went back to the basics of what Advent is: "Waiting. Anticipating, and Preparing for the Arrival of Jesus!"
Lamentations is reflecting on the great idolatry of Israel and God’s punishment by allowing the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem and take them into captivity (2 Kings). In v. 19, ‘remembering’ this drops the author to his knees - YET HOPE arises (v. 21)!
I find encouragement in my struggles as I wait, anticipate and wait, anticipate some more, by joining the writer in the "YET" “BUT”!
The TRUTH IS – no matter how bad it is because of my sin or just ‘is’ – I can take pause, look up and remember. I can FIX my eyes on God’s love and compassion. (Ps. 23:6)
Today, family of MBC, look up! HOPE! When everything around us is a struggle, ‘remember’ and have Hope, not only the Hope of Jesus' coming as Immanuel (God with us) but also the Hope that He is bringing Light, Freedom, Life, Wholeness on the earth and the Hope of Him coming again!!
Call THIS to mind. We are not consumed by our circumstances. God is covering us with His compassion always! "Great is His faithfulness" - like the rising of the sun each morning!
Jeannie Buyer
Pray
- Pray for Pastor Lyle Buyer as he continues to be on medical leave. Pray also for Jeannie, for her ministry and their family.
- Pray for our Prime Minister and Premier, Mayor, your MP, your MLA, and any other government officials God brings to your mind.