I relish the transitional month of September for no other reason than it is the month leading to October, ushering in the beautiful season of Fall. And there’s truly nothing I absolutely don’t love about this special time of the year.

Crisp temperatures, vibrant colors, falling leaves, seasonal mums, pumpkin decor, the excitement of soon to be trick-or-treaters, and cozy fireplace time; I embrace it all! And since the first day of September, I began sensing a growing expectation building in my spirit in anticipation of Autumn.

As I contemplated the excitement stirring in my heart, I realized my increasing sense of expectancy was simultaneously building hope in my spirit. And hope is a non-negotiable for everyone and anyone desiring to walk purposefully and positively in and through each season of life.

Convinced of this truth, I considered the means to practically and consistently living with expectant hope. And through my ponderings, I recalled a passage of scripture that I believe reveals two key factors regarding realizing hope: the act of remembering and the act of declaring.

In Lamentations 3, the prophet Jeremiah recorded the following words…

The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!
Lamentations 3:19-24 (NLT)

To grasp the full weight of these words, it’s critical to read the entire portion of scripture. The tendency however is to dial in on the second half of this verse, which speaks of God’s faithfulness and daily mercies. Agreeably this is the portion of the narrative where most people, me included, gravitate.

To fully comprehend the significance of this passage, it is essential to understand the context in which it was written. Jeremiah scripted these words following the Babylonian siege and destruction of Jerusalem, an incredibly dark time in the nation’s history, as evidenced by the prophet’s own words.

…my suffering and homelessness is bitter

                                         I will never forget this awful time

                                                                                    I grieve over my loss.
Lamentations 3:19-20 (NLT)

This would be an incredibly depressing verse if it ended here, but thankfully it does not. Instead, there is a beautiful shift in this verse, revealed in the tiny, nevertheless, significant word yet.

Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this.
Lamentations 3:21 (NLT)

The basis for Jeremiah’s altered emotions was clearly not resulting from his current circumstance, being that of loss and destruction, but far more significantly from his experience regarding the faithfulness of God.

Despite the facts, and regardless of feelings, Jeremiah intentionally chose to focus his thoughts from his temporal reality to the eternal faithfulness of God through the action of remembering.

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease. 
Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)

Following the practice of mentally rehearsing the faithfulness of God, Jeremiah further demonstrates his steadfast hope in Yahweh by what he says.

I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance…
Lamentations 3:24 (NLT)

I love the fact that in this verse Jeremiah is addressing himself!  Through personal and faith-filled declarations, the prophet edifies his spirit, and the wonderful result of this action is a resolve to hope.

…Therefore, I will hope in him!
Lamentations 3:24 (NLT)

In closing, I’ve been inspired through the example of the prophet Jeremiah to also commit to maintaining a healthy, vibrant hope level always, and in each circumstance of life. Further, I am reminded that hope is an anchor for my soul, and a critical factor in my faith journey.

I began this post by sharing my growing expectations for the Fall season. Although I do not know the exact date the green leaves will transform into vivid colors, nor can I predict when the temperatures will turn brisk, I know based on experience that Fall will certainly arrive in God’s predetermined time and will also be as beautiful as always.

It is this reality that inspires me to remember that the very same God who consistently and faithfully transforms the seasons with new life and beauty, is simultaneously transforming me as well as those I love, and therefore I have hope.

…Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans 8:24-25 ESV

For Reflection:

  • Begin by reading Lamentations 3:19-24.
  • Ponder what this passage may be saying to you. Record your thoughts.
  • How has Jeremiah’s example to remember and declare God’s faithfulness regardless of his dire circumstances encouraged you?
  • Close in a prayer of gratitude to our faithful God who greets us each day with new mercy.