Jennifer Jones
The book of Lamentations was written during a period of time when the authors were being held captives by the Babylonians. Chapter 3, like chapters 1, 2, and 4 are acrostics using the Hebrew alphabet.
"He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope."
The Hebrew name for the book of Lamentations is "How?" In today's world we often hear people asking: How? How can I pay the rent? How can I find a job? How can I save my friendship? How can I get well? How can we do our part to save this economy? How can we increase church membership? How can the budget be met? The "how" questions go on and on.
In Lamentations we are told how to deal with these questions. We are instructed to be silent when life is heavy. In this silence, bow to God in prayer and ask neither why nor how, but wait and listen. Wait with hope. Be silent and wait, but wait with hope in your heart. Hope is a necessary part in finding the answers to how. Without hope we will not be able to wait for the answers.
Prayer: Our heavenly Father, thank you for the hope that you give us in our daily lives and the hope that you have given us through Jesus Christ. With our hope and faith in you heavenly Father, strengthen us as we listen for your guiding words to help us, find the answers to all of our "hows". Amen
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