Therefore I Have Hope

"I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for Him.'

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him,
to the one who seeks Him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.
It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young.

Let him sit alone in silence,
for the LORD has laid it on him.
Let him bury his face in the dust...
there may yet be hope.
Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him,
and let him be filled with disgrace.

For men are not cast off
by the Lord forever.
Though He brings grief, He will show compassion,
so great is His unfailing love.
For He does not willingly bring affliction
or grief to the children of men."
Lamentations 3:19-33

Sometimes in life we will face the discipline of God.  God disciplines us because of His compassion for us.  "It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young."  This means that it is good to willingly come under God's discipline and learn.  When we face His discipline we must remember that it will not last forever.  Like a good father, the Lord may bring us grief but He will always be loving and compassionate to us.  God doesn't allow anything to happen to us that doesn't somehow, someway make us more like Him.

So, if you feel that you're in a time of trial or discipline remember that God won't leave you there forever.  He is compassionate.  You have hope in all circumstances because of His unfailing love.

Remember that God's love never runs out, today.