so foolish? Yet – I was. Now the time has arrived – I will reap what I have sown. For His rod – God’s rob – the husband of the bride’s rob – is upon me. This is not abuse – this is justice. God never abuses anyone – there is mercy and grace – but there is also justice – given out fairly and equitably. God does not abuse. He who knows all things judges the hearts of man.

God’s Punishment is Severe

1. God has driven me into the darkness – where there is not a hint of light.
2. God has turned His hand against me – over and over all day long.
3. God has caused me to physically waist away – my bones are broken – my flesh is falling off.
4. God has gripped me and encircled me with bitterness and hardship.
5. God has placed in a tomb of darkness – that is where I live.
6. God holds me in a dungeon with a heavy chain around my neck – there is no escape.
7. God does not listen to my pleads and my prayers – even though I cry out for help.
8. God has placed stone barriers in my way.
9. God has ordered my life in such a way that there is no clear direction – my path is twisted.
10. God is like a wild animal – a bear or a lion – secretly lying in wait for His prey.
11. God has torn me to pieces – turned me from my planed destination – I am desolate and devastated.
12. God has pulled back His bow – aimed his weapon at heart.
13. God has a plan for each arrow in His quiver – they will pierce the organs of my body.
14. God has made me to be the brunt of all the jokes in the neighborhood – gossip about me is everywhere.
15. God has made my life sour – He has given me vinegar for a beverage – to quench my thirst.
16. God has broken all my teeth by giving me rocks to eat.
17. God has covered me with shame – I am covered with ashes.

I have no peace – I have no happiness – I have forgotten the meaning of those words.

II. A God Of Mercy – The Faithfulness Of God

v. 18 - So I say, "My strength has perished, And so has my hope from the LORD."
v. 19 - Remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and bitterness.
v. 20 - Surely my soul remembers And is bowed down within me.
v. 21 - This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope.
v. 22 - The LORD’S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.
v. 23 - They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness.
v. 24 - "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him."
v. 25 - The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him.
Lamentations 3:18-25 (NASV)

Our hope is always from the Lord. Any hope outside the hope of the Lord is false hope. When all is said and done – at the end of time – all that will be left is what God has chosen. If you are outside the will of God – you will not survive. Sad – but true.

The call in verse 19 is to ask God to remember “my affliction and my wandering”. How could God forget? He never does. He is not absent-minded. He does not get holy amnesia. He knows all things – inside and out. He knows what I have suffered – and He knows my suffering. He knows the dark roads I have traveled – and the dead end of my journeys. He knows if I truly repent – or if I am putting on a pretense. The façade of my holiness – He sees through. There is no hiding from God. He knows it all – I know it all too. That is why my “soul remembers – and is