Settling on Hope, a Reflection on Lamentation 3:14-26

The lectionary during this period offers two alternative Old Testament readings each week. One of these is paired with the gospel selection. The lectionary then offers a psalm to be used in response to each of the readings from the Old Testament. This week, the reading from Luke about faith is paired with Habakkuk who was experiencing a faith crisis (with thanks to Shelley Cochran's The Pastor's Underground Guide to the Revised Common Lectionary). But, instead of one psalm suggested, we have a psalm and a reading from Lamentations to use in response to the Habakkuk lection.

Here are some excerpts from the laments, "I have become a laughingstock to all people....My life is bereft of peace, I forgot what happiness is."

We are accustomed to turning to other people for solace in times of our need; yet, in his great need, those people around him did not offer support or comfort; rather, they made fun of him. How alone does a laughingstock feel when he is surrounded by cruel people. Could any solution to his pain be possible?

But, even in his despair, he has been able to hold on to hope, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end."

His hope lies not in anything he has done to deserve help but rather on the faithfulness and compassion of the Lord