Jerusalem is being destroyed. Completely. Men, women, children even the animals. Sounds like a harsh moment for God’s people. It is. Make no mistake things are as bad as it gets. Even the Holy Temple is being destroyed. Why? They turned their back on God. Now it sounds like a harsh God. It does sound that way but we have to look at a couple of factors. God pleaded with them for YEARS, even generations to return to HIM as their One True God. They knew Who HE was and how HE cared for them. But still they turned away.

The story doesn’t end there. Far from it. As I read a familiar passage in Lamentations (Book of the Old Testament) I was caught by a verse or two that led up to a more familiar passage. Jeremiah is recounting the destruction. The loss. And here is the passage that made me stop and really take it all in…

“The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: (Lamentation 3:19-21)

Let’s stop there for a moment. Jeremiah, God’s prophet, His chosen man is going through horrific times. Grieving over his loss and then he pens those words, “Yet I still DARE to hope.” Wow! He still has hope. I “hope” you are asking why? How? How could he still dare to hope in this situation when all is lost. Well, here’s THE answer…

The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”

Jeremiah remembered! In the midst of all this pain and suffering, he remembered. He remembered the faithful love of the LORD. He remembered His mercies. They both NEVER end and will NEVER cease!  Jeremiah’s hope and our hope is in the love and mercy of a never ending God! HE is our HOPE!

My hope today is that no matter what you are going through you will “dare to hope” just one more time. Hope in the ONE who will never cease to love you and show you mercy each new day.

I dare you!