“For the Lord will not
cast off forever,
for, though he cause grief, he will have compassion
according to the abundance of his steadfast love;”
– Lamentations 3:31-32
For those in Christ, even the hardest seasons of discipline and correction eventually end. The most intense refining fire eventually does its necessary work and cools. Even as Jeremiah lamented the smoldering destruction of Jerusalem caused by centuries of rebellious sin, he still had confident hope in the Lord. Why? Because He knew the Lord!
Scripture is clear that the Lord will discipline those He loves. He will correct those who need it. He will test our faith and strengthen it through those tests. Nonethelesss, God’s heart of compassion for His people is immensely greater than all that. His steadfast, loyal, covenant love is limitless in quantity. It is His fundamental nature and desire to express His love and compassion toward His people. We can be certain that He will.
He already did it for us on the cross, sparing us the righteous wrath and just punishment for our sins, placing all that upon our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ instead. Because He did, followers of Jesus can be certain that His compassion and love for us will never fail and never fade.
You may endure seasons in which it feels like God is distant and done with you. That is never the case. Those seasons serve to build your faith and correct any wayward paths you may be on. They are never the end in Christ! The Lord will always have compassion. He will always and ultimately express His steadfast love for you. These things are essential to Who He is and your sins will never derail that. Be faithful. Be joyful. #FollowJesus