Our Compassionate God

In his darkest hour, Jeremiah discovered a glorious truth that brought new hope and assurance to his mind. Actually, he already knew this truth, but it did not touch his soul until he came to the end of himself. He discovered that when he reached the very bottom — God was there! “Down” does not mean going deep into a dark abyss, it means going deeper into God. So the truth is, God is not to be discovered “up there” in some blissful untroubled skies, but in the shadows of grief and despair.

When Jeremiah hit bottom, he bumped into God! He fell hard against the faithfulness of a compassionate Father and gradually he realized many deep truths.

When you are so hurt that you can hardly face another day, God’s Word says, “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

If the Lord allows grief and sorrow to come into your life, he will uphold you with abundant compassion, mercy and love (3:32).

God hurts when you hurt; he is not against you, trying to crush you under his foot when you are down (3:33-34). When you are at your lowest, turn to the Lord and praise his name. “Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven” (3:41). That is when God will draw near to you and whisper, “Do not fear!” (3:57). 

Jeremiah wrote the Book of Lamentations out of a broken heart, mourning the destruction of Jerusalem. His strength and hope had dissipated; he was empty and humbled. But he put his trust completely in the Lord’s mercies and he was able to testify, “Therefore I have hope” (3:21).

There is no human condition so bleak and hopeless that God will not meet us and give us hope.