"Restore us to yourself, LORD, that we may return; renew our days as of old unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure."
The book of Lamentations is a book about faith in the hard times, about trust in God in the face of overwhelming circumstances. It describes the raw grief, deep anguish and tortured desperation of existence in the ruins of a city which has fallen to ruthless conquerors. The writer calls out to God to restore God's people, and does so in faith because he knows that God's compassion never fails (Lamentations 3:22).
All of us face difficult circumstances, sometimes at home, sometimes at work, sometimes because of our own fault and sometimes because of the unreasonable behaviour of others. Lamentations reminds us that God's ears are open to our honest prayers about how tough we are finding it, that God is capable of bringing renewal where all hope is gone, and that even when we feel that what we have done is unforgiveable, God reaches out in Christ to all who truly repent.
1) Offer your difficult circumstances to God this morning and ask him to bring renewal into those situations. If repentance is needed then seek the Lords forgiveness, and remember he is faithful and just.
2) Pray for your clients – especially those whose situation needs restoration and renewal – and for opportunities to share the good news of Christ.