Lamentations 3 reminds me of the basis for most Hollywood blockbusters. This is the story of redemption that has been repeated countless times over the centuries. We use phrases like “Rags to Riches” and “Feel Good Story” to describe the movie genre, but to those who have been down and out, it is our testimony. Jeremiah describes the view from the bottom, “I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of the Lord’s wrath“. This is familiar to many of us, “He has driven me away… my skin and my flesh grow old… surrounded me with bitterness and hardship… made me dwell in darkness… walled me in… weighed me down“. This man experienced the very worst of life, “Even when I call out or cry for help, He shuts out my prayer… barred my way… He pierced my heart“. He confesses to himself, “I became the laughingstock“. And he makes a keen observation, “I have forgotten what prosperity is“. He describes the emptiness in hopeless terms, “My splendor is gone“. Friend, do you know this script?
Next Jeremiah recalls the turning point. There is no motivational music, and there is no drama. In quiet solitude, he says, “I remember my affliction and my wandering… therefore I have hope“. What did he recall? “The Lord’s great love… for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Perhaps whispering to himself, or repeating a promise, he has this hope, “Wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord“. He has the realization that there is time for change, “It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young… For no one is cast off by the Lord forever“. Jeremiah recalls that God meets us there in the depth of our need.
Perhaps he begins to recall Sunday School lessons, or wisdom long forgotten as he remembers the nature of God. “Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love … He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone“. Jeremiah considers God’s justice, “Why should the living complain when punished for their sins?” And he announces his insight to anyone that will listen, “Let us return to the Lord… Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven“. His prayer is not eloquent, but from the heart, “We have sinned and rebelled… You have covered Yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can get through… We have suffered terror and pitfalls, ruin and destruction… I called on Your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit“. From the depth of the pit, God does His best work! “You came near when I called You, and You said, ‘Do not fear.’ You redeemed my life“. Do not miss the power in that word. Redeemed means that He bought us out of slavery, and paid our debt in full. He made us part of the family again. Now it is time for the happy ending, “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life” (Romans 6:22). Your life can be made complete if you allow your story to be His story.