Maybe you feel a bit like Jeremiah?
Lamentations 3:17 I have been deprived of peace;
I have forgotten what prosperity is.
I have forgotten what prosperity is.
18 So I say, "My splendor is gone
and all that I had hoped from the LORD."
and all that I had hoped from the LORD."
19 I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
the bitterness and the gall.
20 I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
and my soul is downcast within me.
So then a great question arises: why? Why go on trusting, why go on caring, why try?
Because verses 21-26 are on the way...
21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."
therefore I will wait for him."
25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait
quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.
for the salvation of the LORD.
Last week I was running in a race to raise money for breast cancer research. It was a 3 mile run and about every mile they had brought in cheer leading squads to cheer on the runners. Just about the time us runners were starting to get tired and those feelings of quit came to mind, up ahead there were cheers of support and hope that the race was about over, it was about accomplished, we were doing fine, we were "winning."
Sometimes we need someone to cheer us on; sometimes God calls us to be the ones to cheer on the others.
This morning God's mercies are new. His love waits to refresh us and help us finish the race.
God's peace and love be yours in abundance.
John
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