ZPCBlog

About the author: Mike Crabb has been a ZPC member since 1996. He met his wife Kara in 1999 at VBS while leading his son’s class. He’s been a deacon and has been actively involved in Great Banquet, Awakening, Kairos Prison Ministry, and Men’s Ministry. He is a father of 6 kids (with Kara’s) and has 7 grandchildren.

The Lord is good to those who put their hope in him.  He is good to those who look to him.  It is good when people wait quietly for the Lord to save them. Lamentations 3:25-26

The writer of Lamentations (most believe it is Jeremiah), is sitting in the rubble of a destroyed Jerusalem anguishing on what has happened to his beloved City where God once dwelled. His description earlier in the chapter share both national and personal suffering, as he is seeing what has happened to the kingdom of Judah after the Babylonian’s takeover and Israel’s coming exile.

Judah had been warned of its idolatry and unfaithfulness by Jeremiah and now God’s wrath has turned against his people. He goes into great detail in chapters 1-3 on how God has forgotten them and his punishment for their unfaithfulness. As I read this, I could feel his despair and pain. It also reminded me that I had been like Judah and had forgotten God and how he pressed me back to him.

In verses 3:19 says: “And I say, “My strength and my hope have perished from the Lord."  No wonder Jeremiah and Jerusalem could say this. With God as adversary, what strength is there? What hope is there of either peace or prosperity? 

So what does this have to do with the hope of Advent? What do we hope for in light of this challenging passage? How did this become part of our Christmas cheer? It’s about God’s faithfulness and our response. Even during our life’s challenges, the Lord is faithfull!  Lamintations 3:22-23 says “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.” Jeremiah then states “The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him”

The Advent season is about waiting for God (through Jesus) to be with us (Emmanuel). Our hope is in his promised son, Jesus, and the Lord’s faithfulness to look for him.

Even as we fail, stumble, and fall, God is the only ONE to put our hope in. He is faithful to those who seek him. As Jerry mentioned a few weeks ago, we have already received an “A” in his grading system because of our faith in Jesus and God’s faithfulness. His mercies are made new every day, so use each day to start fresh and put your faith and hope in him. Quietly and humbly ask him for strength and he will save you.

Use this advent season to slow down and quietly be present with God.  It will bring great joy to your soul and a Christmas time of hope.

Prayer

Dear patient and loving Father,
Thank you for your endless love. Thank you for the mercies I receive each and every day. As I prepare my heart in anticipation of Christmas and the celebration of your son’s birth, allow me to find quiet peace and rest in your faithfulness. Even when I stumble you are there to pick me up. Great is your faithfulness.
In Jesus’s Holy name,
Amen

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