From time to time in my Christian life, I have found myself going through my day or week on a proverbial autopilot. Whether it is the cares of this world or a heavy spirit, something is missing, and in its place is this “blah” feeling. I read my Bible; I pray. I am doing what I am supposed to, yet there is something off. Recently, during one of these moments, I woke up to a day that would be long and exhausting, and I knew I could not go through it on my own. I took my Bible and coffee to my spot, praying as I went, “Lord, I really need to hear from you today.” Opening my Bible, I discovered I was in the book of Lamentations.  

With faith the size of a mustard seed, I began to read. Then there it was, that something I had asked God for.  Chapter 3 began with an unflattering look at someone in a worse spot than I was. I wasn’t dealing with bears or lions lying in wait, arrows, broken teeth, or a crooked path, but then verse 21 is where it all changed: “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.”  

What “was called to mind”? A substantial reality check: “It is of the Lord‘s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.” The lessons of Lamentations were there for me to glean from.

  • I have not been consumed, and that is only due to the mercies of God. (3:22)
  • Those mercies that I depend on, well, they are new every morning. (3:23)
  • The Lord is our portion (our allotment), so we have hope. (3:24)
  • The Lord is good unto them that wait on Him and seek Him. (3:25)
  • It is good to quietly hope and wait for God to fix things. (3:26)

My prayer was heard that morning, and I have carried the message of these lessons with me since that day. I have something to remember on those blah, autopilot days, so I can hope. 

Share this post

Miriam Chung, Christian School Teacher

Mrs. Chung grew up around the work of the ministry and now has the privilege of teaching at the North Valley Baptist Schools. She and her husband faithfully teach young people and are a vital asset to the ministry of NVBC.