Hymns of hope in the middle of lament: Jeremiah’s example for today

By Dean Collins

Some of us were raised in the church when all we sang were hymns and a few gospel choruses. I love many of the changes in worship music over the years. I love the hymns and I love much of the new worship music as well. In several churches, I was the first person to introduce the guitar into worship music and led many songs that no one could find in a hymnbook. Some may have questioned whether this was okay, but most have long passed arguing about the worship music. Even so, some of us have lodged in our minds the melodies and words from many hymns that give us not just nostalgic thoughts but real hope about the future. And as I read Lamentations today, lines from three different hymns came to mind.  

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Though the author of Lamentations is never named, Jeremiah is thought to be its author. Themes of pain, suffering, and repentance fill its pages. Devastation and horrific events are listed, reminding readers of the results of sin, the need for repentance, and that even in the middle of suffering, there is hope. 

Literally in the middle of the book of Lamentations when Jeremiah says that his endurance has perished with his hope, he says this: “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.” 

Jeremiah’s lament is powerful and important. His grief over the devastation to both the city of Jerusalem and also to God’s chosen is a guide for us in seasons of great loss and in times of long suffering. While God sent many warnings and opportunities for repentance to avoid the destruction of the city and the exile to Babylon, the warnings fell on deaf ears. God is both just and merciful. He has proved this over and over again and completely in the gift of Jesus who is both Savior and the foundation we can and must build our lives upon.

It seems significant to me that this passage comes in the middle of Jeremiah’s lament. He doesn't shy away from his reality and pain before or after. The prophet is honest that his endurance has perished. His honesty awakens permission for us also to be honest when we face pain and grief. Whether suffering comes as the result of our sins or from circumstances outside of our control or even because of our faith, God can handle our emotions and our mental anguish. But like Jeremiah, we must learn to call to mind his truth to center us and to anchor us.

Firmly in mind

It is hard to bring to mind what we haven’t yet placed in our minds. This is why the frequent and daily reading of scripture is so important. It is also why some of us remember the hymns. We sang them over and over again whenever the church gathered. For me that was Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening. Whenever the church gathered, the hymns were sung. That’s why the lines from three hymns came to mind to today.

“In Times Like These” is the first hymn that hit me. The opening verse goes like this:

In times like these, you need a Savior
In times like these, you need an Anchor
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the solid Rock.

That last line triggered a second familiar hymn, “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less.” The second verse of this hymn has these words:

When darkness veils his lovely face
I rest on his unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.

And the anchor came again with a third hymn. This one may not be as familiar, but I looked up a line that came to mind:

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong clouds lift and the cables strain
Will your anchor drift or firm remain?

Redeemed my life

Jeremiah’s anchor in the middle of his lament was remembering that the Lord’s love is steadfast, his mercy never ends, and both come fresh every morning because of God’s faithfulness. When pain, suffering, hardship, uncertainty, temptation, or national and global crises come our way, we must turn to the truth of God to center and anchor us through it all.

Jeremiah ends the third chapter with these lines: “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.”

May we rest and find strength today in these scriptures but ultimately in the steadfast love and mercy of God.

Your time with God’s Word
Lamentations 3:16-42, 55-58 ESV

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