Lamentation #3

The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want (Ps 23:1)
He has been to me like a bear lying in wait, like a lion in ambush (Lam 3:10)

Many believers assert that God intends for us to live healthy wealthy, and prosperous lives. These people will quote scriptures they believe supports this belief but tend to ignore others that don’t. Most people know the 23rd Psalm but how many know the 3rd Lamentation? Not as many I imagine and I can understand why. David in the 23rd Psalm described God as a shepherd who provided guidance, protection and fulfillment. Conversely, Jeremiah in Lamentations 3 described God as a hunter who attacked and injured him.

I know God has provided the deliverance and ultimate victory for our eternal souls through His Son Jesus Christ but our temporal bodies are dying every day. Moth and rust will decay every worldly possession that we have and if your heart is found with those treasures you’re in danger of losing your soul. It disturbs me when Christians say if you're sick or suffering that you musn't have enough faith or something. Jesus promised us that we would have trouble in this world. Recently, a Christian musician lost one of his children in a tragic accident. This affected me so keenly that I avoided listening to his music for awhile because I was uncomfortable with the feelings of sorrow and regret. Their family doesn't have that luxury and they have clung to their hope in Jesus Christ.

What is the reason for suffering? The best answer to that is found when you see the result of suffering. People who have everything they need don’t tend to go looking for God but when faced with terrible adversity they tend to either curse Him or cling to Him. Jeremiah also chose the latter.

This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him!" The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. - Lamentations 3:21-25