Lamentations 3

So I thought that since "Lamentations3" is the title of my blog, my first post would be about Lamentations 3.

Lamentations 3 is one of those jewel chapters of the Bible that no one ever reads because it's not where most people would go to find a jewel chapter. First, it's in the Old Testament, and it's in the end of the Old Testament, near all the minor prophets which not many people seem to read. It's in the middle of a what we may term a "depressing book" and even a "depressing chapter." But most of the chapter is entirely beautiful. When I've told people to read it, their faith has been strengthened, their heads lifted, and they've returned to it again and again. I encourage you to read it right now-it's posted below in case you aren't near a Bible. I've posted sections that mean to most to me because of the post limits-to read the whole thing (which I encourage you to do) just go pick up a Bible. Love you all, Cayley.

(Verses 21-41)

But this I call to mind,

and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,

“therefore I will hope in him.”

The LORD is good to those who wait for him,

to the soul who seeks him.

It is good that one should wait quietly

for the salvation of the LORD.

It is good for a man that he bear

the yoke in his youth.

Let him sit alone in silence

when it is laid on him;

let him put his mouth in the dust—

there may yet be hope;

let him give his cheek to the one who strikes,

and let him be filled with insults.

For the Lord will not

cast off forever,

but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion

according to the abundance of his steadfast love;

for he does not afflict from his heart

or grieve the children of men.

To crush underfoot

all the prisoners of the earth,

to deny a man justice

in the presence of the Most High,

to subvert a man in his lawsuit,

the Lord does not approve.

Who has spoken and it came to pass,

unless the Lord has commanded it?

Is it not from the mouth of the Most High

that good and bad come?

Why should a living man complain,

a man, about the punishment of his sins?

Let us test and examine our ways,

and return to the LORD!

Let us lift up our hearts and hands

to God in heaven:

(Verses 55-59)

“I called on your name, O LORD,

from the depths of the pit;

you heard my plea, ‘Do not close

your ear to my cry for help!’

You came near when I called on you;

you said, ‘Do not fear!’

“You have taken up my cause, O Lord;

you have redeemed my life.

You have seen the wrong done to me, O LORD;

judge my cause.

(English Standard Version)