Sandy’s Devotional:
My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty. I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore. Psalm 131:1-3
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.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:19-24
Jeremiah wrote the book of Lamentations in a state of sorrow and despair because of the destruction and exile from Jerusalem. He would have despaired had he not focused on God’s mercy. Many through the centuries have known the depths of despair in trials, yet remembered to turn to God for renewed hope: David wrote “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (Psalm 27).
As I considered the current state of world events – antisemitism increasing, US support for Israel diminishing, governments turning against and boycotting us, violent protests in the streets of Europe… One could despair, unless we look to the Lord for His constant, unfailing mercy. It is best not to concern ourselves with matters too difficult, rather to stay calm – like the weaned child. Simply resting in the arms of a Loving Mother (in this case, God, usually called Father – who is neither male nor female, is portrayed as the gentle mother to her children). "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth". Psalm 46:10. We can praise Him because His compassions never fail. They are NEW EVERY morning😊.
