The book of Lamentations was written by the prophet Jeremiah during a time of great suffering for the people of Judah. Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC and many of the people had been taken into exile. In the midst of this tragedy, Jeremiah wrote Lamentations as a lament over the destroyed city.
Yet even in this mournful book, there are rays of hope. One of the most famous of these comes in Lamentations 3:22-23 where Jeremiah writes:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
At first glance, it seems surprising that Jeremiah could speak of God’s faithfulness in the context of the terrible destruction of Jerusalem. However, a closer look reveals at least three reasons why Jeremiah viewed God as faithful even in the midst of tragedy.
1. God had warned Judah of coming judgment
For decades, the prophets of Judah, including Jeremiah, had warned that judgment was coming if the people did not repent. God had sent prophet after prophet to call them back to covenant faithfulness, but again and again the kings and people of Judah refused to listen (Jeremiah 25:3-7). Even after the Babylonians began threatening Jerusalem, the leaders of Judah trusted in false prophets who said there was peace when there was no peace (Jeremiah 6:14).
Yet through it all, God continued to show mercy and provide opportunities for Judah to repent. The tragedy of 587 BC did not come without warning. The people simply failed to heed the warnings of the true prophets like Jeremiah. Therefore, Jeremiah knew that God had been faithful in sending warnings and calls to repentance prior to allowing judgment to come.
2. God’s judgment was just punishment for Judah’s sin
The judgment on Judah was severe, but it was not undeserved. For generations, the kings and people of Judah had violated God’s laws, worshipped idols, and mistreated the weak and vulnerable. The cries of injustice had reached heaven (Jeremiah 2:34-35). Jeremiah and the other prophets had declared that disaster was coming upon Judah because of the nation’s sin (Jeremiah 4:4-6). Tragically, the suffering described in Lamentations was the fulfillment of this prophesied judgment.
While God’s judgment brought suffering on his people, Jeremiah understood that it was deserved and just. God had been right to punish Judah’s rebellion and disobedience. Thus, even in judgment God could be viewed as faithful – he did what was right even when it was difficult.
3. Jeremiah knew God still loved his people
The central message of Lamentations is that God had not abandoned Judah. Though he had judged their sin, his love and compassion remained (Lamentations 3:22). A day was coming when God would restore his people and build them up once again (Jeremiah 31:28).
Jeremiah had insider knowledge that allowed him to see God’s faithfulness even in tragic circumstances. Through revelations from God, Jeremiah knew that the story was not over. Exile and destruction were not the end – restoration and renewal were on the horizon. God had not forgotten his promises or his purpose for Judah.
This hope allowed Jeremiah to lament the present disaster while clinging to God’s covenant loyalty. He knew that God’s commitment to his people was unbreakable. Therefore, Jeremiah could speak with confidence about God’s faithfulness even when circumstances seemed bleakest.
The character of God
Ultimately, Jeremiah’s remarkable statement about God’s faithfulness in Lamentations 3:22-23 springs from Jeremiah’s deep knowledge of God’s character. Through his prophetic ministry, Jeremiah had gained an intimate understanding of who God is. He knew that God is just but also merciful (Jeremiah 9:24). He knew that God’s anger and judgment are real, but so is his steadfast love (Lamentations 3:22). And he knew that God is faithful to all his promises in both blessing and discipline.
Jeremiah understood that the destruction of Jerusalem did not negate any aspect of who God is. Though his ways are mysterious and often sorrowful from a human perspective, he remains the faithful, covenant-keeping God. His character does not change based on circumstances. It is this unchanging character that Jeremiah praises in Lamentations 3:22-23.
Hope in the midst of grief
In many ways, Lamentations was Jeremiah’s journal of grief as he lived through the horrific destruction of everything and everyone he loved. Yet even in the depths of despair, Jeremiah’s knowledge of God provided hope. He knew that God would remain faithful to his promises and that ultimately nothing could separate God’s people from his love (Romans 8:38-39).
This hope allowed Jeremiah to cling to God’s faithfulness and anchor himself in who God is. Likewise, all believers can take comfort in the truths about God’s character reflected in Lamentations 3, especially amidst seasons of sorrow and difficulty. God remains good, loving, just, and faithful no matter our circumstances.
Lessons for believers
There are several important lessons that believers today can take from Lamentations 3:
- God is faithful even when we face tragedy and judgment
- God’s judgments are purposeful and just, not arbitrary or unmerciful
- God’s love and mercy for his people are steadfast and unchanging
- An intimate knowledge of God’s character provides stability amidst suffering
- Hope is found by anchoring ourselves in who God is, not our circumstances
- God can be trusted to fulfill all his promises in his perfect timing
Jeremiah’s bold statement of faith in Lamentations 3:22-23 has ministered to believers throughout history who have faced their own dark nights of the soul. His words remain a testament to the unfailing faithfulness of God.
The fulfillment of God’s faithfulness
Jeremiah’s hopeful words in Lamentations 3 were ultimately fulfilled. After 70 years of exile in Babylon, God did restore the Jewish people to their land as he had promised through Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:10). The city of Jerusalem was rebuilt along with the temple.
Yet God’s faithfulness finds its greatest fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jesus fulfilled all the promises and types that came before (2 Corinthians 1:20). He established a new covenant where God writes his law on the hearts of his people (Jeremiah 31:33). And through his death and resurrection, Jesus became the ultimate temple and made a way for people from every tribe and nation to know God.
The words of Lamentations 3 testify to the faithfulness of God across the centuries. That faithfulness culminates in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Even in the darkest nights, we can trust that dawn will come and God’s mercies are new every morning. Great indeed is his faithfulness!