Waiting Quietly

“It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

– Lamentations 3:26

The prophet Jeremiah preached destruction for forty years. When the collapse came to pass, the people had no respect for him and still did not believe his words. Instead, they sang disrespectful songs about him and ridiculed him (Lam. 3:14,63).

To Jeremiah, his ministry had become a heavy weight to carry. It had taken its toll on him physically (Lam. 3:4), spiritually (Lam. 3:8-9), and emotionally (Lam. 3:18). If anyone had reason to complain, certainly it would be this faithful prophet. And he did. Jeremiah put his heart on open display before the Lord. For a time, we find God’s faithful servant complaining in prayer. Rightfully so, for God already knows our hearts, and it is best to be open with Him.

His circumstances constantly changed, causing a wide range of emotions that shifted like a buoy in a raging storm. And a life built on that which is continuously changing invites unrest and frustration. Yet Jeremiah’s contemplation and confession of doubt quickly turned into remembrance and a prayer of faith. Doubt was causing him to look at God through his circumstances resulting in hopelessness, but when faith took root, it enabled him to view his life through the reality of God’s promises, which gave him hope.

In whatever circumstances we find ourselves in today, may we, like Jeremiah before us, cause our souls to remember the Lord’s sovereignty and recall to our minds these lasting words:

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I hope in Him!’” (Lam. 3:22-24)