God is Faithful
Lamentations 3:17-33
Introduction
Turn with me in your bibles to Lamentations Chapter 3.
This morning, I come before you humbly – in an attempt to bring a message from the Lord that I believe is needed. I have struggled for five days over this message, and it was not until last night that I was able to actually sit and write it with a clear mind on what God was saying to us as a church family.
Right up front I want to tell you that I do not know where God is going this morning, I am just trying to obey as best as my flesh is able.
This past week, our church family took what I would call a mighty blow to the very core of our faith. We were caught without words and even in some cases numb, trying to grapple with and make sense the very understanding of why someone we knew, loved, and respected would feel so hopeless, that ending his life was the outcome.
On Wednesday morning I went to the Lord asking Him for something very specific that might help our church in the healing process, and I will tell you without any shame or reservation that this will be a different service than many have ever been a part of.
Last week’s message will not do this morning, and next week’s message will not do for today – we need a fresh word from the Lord that applies to right now – and it is my prayer that as a church, we can comfort one another and lift one another up – restoring to our souls the very HOPE that we live for.
This HOPE is Jesus Christ, who is the author and finisher of our faith – and without Him, we have no HOPE.
Pray
I mentioned in the introduction that this would be a different service than many have ever been a part of. Allow me to explain this to you.
Many are hurting in our family right now – and one of the best ways to deal with that hurt is to talk about our feelings. If we cannot be honest with one another – in THIS place – then we have missed the purpose of a church.
So this morning, I am going to ask you a question first – Are you willing to be honest?
This church was built on love for Jesus and love for each other – and in this place, this morning, we are going to bear one another’s burdens. No one in this holy place sits alone, and more importantly no one here will ever be alone as long as God allows us to have breath in our lungs.
Let’s look at our passage this morning (Read v17-20).
Point 1 – Where have you been? (v17-20)
Jeremiah writes here that he has been deprived of peace. He says that he has forgotten what prosperity is. All he can do is cry out to the Lord and confess that even his JOY is gone from his heart (his splendor is gone). Even the THOUGHT of Heaven and the majesty of who God is have gone from his heart.
He is hurting.
His soul is downcast within him because he is so burdened, because he is so sad, because he cannot think of anything else other than his suffering.
Jeremiah is thinking in his heart that there is nothing positive.
I stand here to tell you that we need to draw strength from one another. I want to allow anyone to openly share this morning the answer to a question – you don’t have to stand, you don’t have to present anything elegantly, just speak out if God gives you something.
Let me ask you, "Where have you been, in your soul, this week?"
Let’s continue on in our passage (Read v21-24).
Point 2 – Where are you now? (v21-24)
Even in the sadness and pain, Jeremiah remembers who God is. (Not was …)
He declares that because of God’s love, we are NOT consumed. This means that despite our feelings, our ill will, our confusion, our hurt, our depression, even our own sin – we are NOT consumed (or destroyed) because God is faithful.
His faithfulness is NEW every morning!
"The Lord is my portion …" – How many have said those words?
Look what Jeremiah says, he says that he will WAIT for Him.
Sometimes, even in the midst of hurt – we have to be still and wait for Him. God never said that we would not have pain. He never said that life would be easy. He never said that we would have it all in the palm of our hands – but what He did say is that He would be faithful to those He loves, and God is not a liar.
This morning, we need to really ingest that in our hearts. God is NOT a liar. Say that with me. "God is not a liar!"
Repeat after me: "God is faithful". Say it again.
Do you believe it?
Even in the midst of our hurting, in the midst of our sorrow, in the midst of our pain, God is STILL so very faithful – He is still our portion and our comfort.
Let’s look at the promise (faithfulness) of God (Read v25-33).
Point 3 – What is God’s promise? (v25-33)
KJV: v32: "But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies."
There it is, black and white. God will bring (or allow or cause) grief, BUT he will show compassion. This morning, compassion is available to anyone who wants it – to anyone who desires God’s love and comfort.
"So great is his unfailing love …" (Yet we were still sinners, Christ died for us! (Rom 5:8))
"He does not willingly bring affliction or grief …" (Jeremiah 29:11)
Sometimes, we come before the Lord with all the words in the world, and sometimes we come without any words. HE STILL HEARS YOU!
What do you need from God this morning? It’s ok to ask! That is why we have the cross! We have a way to go to Him, and ask for Him in our lives!!!
So I will ask you again … "What do you need from God this morning?"
Re-read verse 23 together (KJV and NIV are written the same).
Our invitation this morning will be simple. If you need something from God, I want to invite you to come to the altar – to come to the foot of the cross (Reference: Matt 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.") – And ask it of Him. With every eye closed …
There is no rush to leave this place, this is a sacred time.
If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior – you come.
If you have not been living a life that is right in God’s eyes – you come.
If you simply need to go to the cross and receive comfort – you come.
Come and receive this morning, Jesus is waiting for you to come.
