3:19-21 I REMEMBER MY AFFLICTION AND MY WONDERING. THE BITTERNESS AND THE GALL…YET THIS I CALL TO MIND AND THEREFORE I HAVE HOPE.
LAMENTATIONS 3:19-33
The value of memory, like intellect,
is determined by what it serves. Memory in the service of despair has the power
to destroy, whereas memory in the service of hope has the power to save. In
John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, the main character, Christian, is locked up
in Doubting Castle and beaten savagely with a club by Giant Despair. The giant’s
club is made of memory. As he, beaten, Christian is filled with memories of his
sin and how many times he’d been warned not to sin but had anyway. As he’s
clubbed by memory, Christian sinks deeper and deeper into despair. But one
night, the same memory that Despair had used for torture came to him and
whispered something in his ear.
Then Christian realized with joy that all along
he had been carry the key to unlock Doubting Castle. The key was in his heart,
and it was Promise. He thrust it into the lock, and though it was hard to turn,
the lock yielded and he was set free.
Sometimes praying about things like
loss, disappointment and failure can leave us more despondent after we pray
than before. The memories, the recollection of these things even when spoken to
God, are like Despair’s club in Doubting Castle. The key is promise. Pray the
promises of God into your despair Make memory into a good servant. Remember God’s
love and faithfulness. "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope.
Because of the LORD’S great love, we are not consumed for his compassions never
fail" (3:21-22).
The Lord wants our suffering to
refine us, not consume us. We may think that, we are getting exactly what we
deserve for the wrongs we have done, and we bow our heads in resignation. But
we are wrong! We never get exactly what we deserve. Only one person got exactly
what we deserve – he died on the cross and was raised from the dead for our
justification (see Romans 4:25). Our sin and guilt is real. But God’s love is
greater than both. Where there was once condemnation, now there is discipline.
In Christ,
Playwright Janet Irene Thomas
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
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