The LORD is my portion, saith my soul. Therefore will I hope in Him. Lam 3:24

How often has hope for something or hope in something or someone been extinguished by disappointments and setbacks. We all experience disappointments, setbacks, frustrations, and failures. During these times we can feel so let down and disheartened. Though we may have confidence in things or people, they are temporary and will fade. However, God is eternal. He never changes. Therefore, we can always “hope in Him.” The scripture passage reminds us that the strength of our soul, the certainty and stability of life is God, “Therefore will I hope in Him.” The prophet Jeremiah became grief-stricken and deeply troubled within his soul as he watched Jerusalem fall and its people troubled with misery. So much so that he mourned and forgot what happiness was (Lam 3:17). But he did not despair because of the faithfulness of God. He looked beyond the circumstances and considered the character of God to say, “This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: Great is Thy faithfulness” (Lam 3:22-23). Dear friend, it is in the midst misery that we can call to mind the steadfast love of God and receive the hope of the Lord. The child of God can find strength for their soul and comfort in their heart to “know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28). It is through faith in God’s wisdom and His faithfulness that we can “hope in Him” and trust that through His work “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Rom 5:3-5). Hope in suffering is not a common response, but one that is received from God “because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Rom 5:5). My friend, we can have hope in the midst of suffering, disappointments, and setbacks. Only look to heaven and unto God “whence come my help” (Ps 121:1-2). Father thank You for Your love and Your faithfulness. Remind me in times of suffering not to lose hope, for “the LORD’s mercies…are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness” (Lam 3:22-23). In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.