The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.  Lamentations 3:24.

Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9.

Jeremiah, called the “weeping prophet” is thought to be the writer of the book of Lamentations.  To lament is to cry out in grief, to mourn aloud, to express sorrow or regret.  Jeremiah has failed in his mission to convince the people to change their ways and worship only the one true God.  Jerusalem is no more and the Israelites are in captivity.  In the first four chapters of Lamentations,  he expresses his deep anguish at the suffering of the people.  He sits in his grotto and weeps, “my eye overflows with water; because the comforter, who should restore my life, is far from me.  My children are desolate because the enemy prevailed.” (Chapter 1:16)  

Verse five is slightly different.  The Lord is asked to remember their suffering and restore to them the glories and the joy that they once knew.

Today is the third Friday of Advent.  We wait, and in our waiting, we pray for the end of this pandemic, this murderous virus which has changed all our lives and has caused so many to lose their lives and for those left behind who lament.  We do not lose hope for we know that the Lord God is faithful and just.  Our savior is near and the divine gift of joy still lifts up our hearts.  

Wishing you the blessings of Christmas.  

Joan Perlich 

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party