“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.” (Lamentations 3:19-22)

A simple truth about life is that it can be hard at times. The prophet Jeremiah was the author of today’s verse. And as a messenger for God after the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem, Jeremiah had valid reason to lament. The people of Judah refused to listen and heed the prophet’s warnings and Jerusalem fell to the mighty Babylon. But what is great about these verses is that Jeremiah didn’t lose hope. He didn’t turn away from God, even after the temple was destroyed. He took pause in the hurt he was feeling and captured hope through the power and grace of the one true and almighty God. He remembered God’s promises to the chosen people. He found comfort in the fact that he, himself, was still alive to pass on the word of God. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” Today in the year 2024, things may be hard too. There may be struggles between the people closest to you. You may have issues at work, school, or even at home. But one thing you can count on, like Jeremiah, if you’re up in the morning reading this nugget than the world has not consumed you. The hardship has not overcome you. So the prayer for us all is that we too may find the hope that fueled Jeremiah’s heart. The hope to stay the course and do what God calls us to do. The hope to remain faithful because the Lord’s love is great. Bigger than we can ever imagine. The good news of the gospel is true. Jesus is risen. He has beaten death for us all. So no matter what troubling times may come, know that the Lord’s compassion never fails.