Three passages of Scripture have grabbed a particular hold on my heart over the last days and weeks.  Upon listing them together, I was so pleasantly surprised at how this combination brings home such a powerful message of HOPE amidst hopelessness, JOY in affliction and STRENGTH in weakness.

The book of Lamentations was attributed to Jeremiah (known as the weeping prophet) and it was written during a time of great loss and destruction.  The city walls of Jerusalem were broken down and the temple destroyed by fire.  Many Jews were killed and those who escaped the killing, were taken into exile.  It was a desolate time for them and they were subjected to suffering, grief and despair.  Yet, amidst these hopeless and dire circumstances, Jeremiah intentionally chose to find HOPE in the steadfast love, faithfulness and mercies of God.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in Him.’”

‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬-‭24‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The apostle Paul writes his letter to the church in Philippi from a jail cell.  This congregation was experiencing pressure and opposition from external sources as well as internal tension among some of the congregants.  Paul was likely chained, living in repugnant circumstances and he faced possible execution.  Yet he intentionally chose to find JOY in his affliction, rooted not in freedom or comfort, but rather in his relationship with Jesus Christ.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In another letter of Paul, he writes to the church in Corinth, to people who were openly questioning his authority.  It would appear that these people were enticed by the practices of external superhero-apostles and they were likely impressed by the public displays of power, eloquence and super-spirituality.  Yet, Paul intentionally chose to find STRENGTH in his own weakness.  Instead of an impressive public display of power, he declares his own vulnerability wherein the power of God is made perfect in abundant grace.

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I compiled a poem of these beautiful truths and my beloved firstborn son, Daniel, composed it into a song:

God’s mercies never end

They are new every day

His grace is sufficient

In my own weakness

 

God’s love is steadfast,

Perfect and unconditional

It will not ever cease

Great is His faithfulness

 

Jesus, Son of God

Redeemer of my soul

To You I pray, petition, and

Present my grateful heart

 

My wounded soul sings

Praises of thanksgiving

To You, my Lord, my God

I will hope in You alone

 

Please take my fears

And all of my failures

Please take my anxiety

And all of my worries

 

Even when my suffering

And my fragile brokenness

Remain unchanged, my joy

I will find in You alone

 

With intentional gentleness

Allow my contrite heart to

Beat to the rhythm of Yours

For the least of the least