LAMENTATIONS 3:21-26,40 – YOU ARE LOVED!
In the country of Armenia, in 1988, Samuel and Danielle sent their young son, Armand, off to school. Samuel squatted before his son and looked him in the eye. “Have a good day at school, and remember, no matter what, I’ll always be there for you.” They hugged and the boy ran off to school.
Hours later, a powerful earthquake rocked the area. In the midst of the pandemonium, Samuel and Danielle tried to discover what happened to their son but they couldn’t get any information. The radio announced that there were thousands of casualties.
Samuel then grabbed his coat and headed for the schoolyard. When he reached the area, what he saw brought tears to his eyes. Armand’s school was a pile of debris. Other parents were standing around crying.
Samuel found the place where Armand’s classroom used to be and began pulling a broken beam off the pile of rubble. He then grabbed a rock and put it to the side, and then grabbed another one.
One of the parents looking on asked, “What are you doing?” “Digging for my son,” Samuel answered. The man then said, “You’re just going to make things worse! The building is unstable,” and tried to pull Samuel away from his work.
Samuel set his jaw and kept working. As time wore on, one by one, the other parents left. Then a firefighter tried to pull Samuel away from the rubble. Samuel looked at him and said, “Won’t you help me?” The firefighter left and Samuel kept digging.
All through the night and into the next day, Samuel continued digging. Parents placed flowers and pictures of their children on the ruins. But, Samuel just kept working. He picked up a beam and pushed it out of the way when he heard a faint cry. “Help! Help!” Samuel listened but didn’t hear anything again. Then he heard a muffled voice, “Papa?”
Samuel began to dig furiously. Finally he could see his son. “Come on out, son!” he said with relief. “No,” Armand said. “Let the other kids come out first because I know you’ll get me.” Child after child emerged until, finally, little Armand appeared. Samuel took him in his arms and Armand said, “I told the other kids not to worry because you told me that you’d always be there for me!” Brian Bill Our Faithful God Sermon by Brian Bill, Lamentations 3:22-25, Lamentations 3:22 – SermonCentral.com
Fourteen children were saved that day because one father loved with a love that wouldn’t quit. I am here this morning to tell you that you are loved with a love that will not quit. It is the Father’s love.
REMEMBER – Vss. 21-23
Israel had been conquered and Jerusalem had been destroyed. Conditions were terrible. Jeremiah was feeling it personally and for his people. Lamentations 1:1-5, Lamentations 1:10-11, Lamentations 2:11-12, Lamentations 3:1-6, Lamentations 3:16-20
Vs. 21 – When things are at their worst, it is time to remember God and His faithful. God is the source of our hope. Psalm 77:10-14
Vs. 22 – mercies = “steadfast love” – “not consumed”, or his love never ceases. No matter how bad it gets, we will never escape from his love or be destroyed by Him if we are Christians.
Compassions – The word comes from the word meaning “womb”. It seems to indicate the type of love that a mother has on her children. And though mothers love deeply, God’s love is deeper yet. Isaiah 49:14-15
When you doubt God’s love for you, look to Calvary. Romans 8:32, Ephesians 1:3
Vs. 23 – God’s compassions new every morning. You didn’t use up God’s compassion yesterday. It’s God hits “reset” every morning. Every day it’s like winning free game in pin ball.
RELY – Vss. 24-26
Vs. 24 – Portion – Possession in the land, inheritance – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Psalm 17:15
Hope – Psalm 71:14
Vs. 25 – When I wait on Him, I am not getting ahead of Him. Instead of taking matters into my own hands, I’m waiting for his directions and striving to please Him. I’m seeking His face. Psalm 27:8
Vs. 26 – Quietly wait
“Waiting! Yes, patiently waiting!
Till next steps made plain shall be;
To hear, with the inner hearing,
The Voice that will call for me.
“Waiting! Yes, quietly waiting!
No need for an anxious dread;
Shall He not assuredly guide me,
Who giveth me daily bread?
“Waiting! Yes, hopefully waiting!
With hope that need not grow dim;
The Master is pledged to guide me,
And my eyes are unto Him.
“Waiting! Expectantly waiting!
Perhaps it may be today
The Master will quickly open
The gate to my future way.
“Waiting! Yes, trustfully waiting!
I know, though I’ve waited long,
That, while He withholds His purpose,
His waiting cannot be wrong.”—Gospel Herald.
RETURN – Vs. 40
Psalm 139:23-24
“Look at yourself and you’ll be depressed. Look at circumstances and you’ll be distressed. Look at the Lord and you’ll be blessed!” Quoted by Warren Wiersbe
REMEMBER
RELY
RETURN
