There Is Hope Even in The Midst of Anguish - Rev. Maulin Vanderburgh
“But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”
Submitted by: Rev. Maulin Vanderburgh
The book of Lamentations was written by the prophet Jeremiah. The title of the book (Lamentations) denotes a time or period filled with darkness, pain, desolation and hopelessness. The conditions portrayed the scene during the fall of Jerusalem by the invading Babylonians. It was a time when the nation forsook the warnings of God as given by His prophet Jeremiah (also known as the Weeping Prophet).
This was a time of great anguish, a time when the horrors affecting the nation were directly ascribed to God. The prophet summed up the situation when he said: “It is a solemn day when hopes seem distant and God silent”.
Today, as a nation we are facing the onslaught of a global pandemic which has brought tremendous hardship to us. We have seen widespread cases of positive infections of COVID-19 resulting in unimaginable loss of life, hospitalization, unemployment, closures of schools and churches and much more.
It is very easy to become overwhelmed, frustrated, and to only see hopelessness and wonder” has God distance Himself from us”? The prophet may have felt that way for a while then he remembered something very important.
Let’s take a look at verse 21:
But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
What was his recollection? He “called to mind” the things God had done before and that He will do it again. He recalled that, the God who delivered the Israelites at the Red Sea and cause them to walk on dry land when there was nowhere for them to go, was the same God they thought had distanced himself. He doubtless remembered the God who delivered Daniel out of the lion’s den and would have been eaten alive, was the same God who has been faithful to them. Then there were the three Hebrews who refused to bow to the golden image and were cast in the fiery furnace. He kept them alive while those who threw them in died. It is the same God who gives new mercies each new day.
Be encouraged and remember that God is in control and He will protect His people.
The following scriptures will help you to have Hope in the midst of Anguish:
Psalm 34:4 (NKJV)
I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears
Psalm 107:6 (NKJV)
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He delivered them out of their distresses.
Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
At times you may feel that God has distanced himself and there is no hope, be assured that He said
Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”