We find hope and encouragement in the book of Lamentations

The book of Lamentations articulates our human despair. In this passage is a word of hope and encouragement in verses 22-23. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

For more than a hundred years people have been able to sing this scripture because of the inspiration of Thomas O. Chisholm who wrote the poem in 1923 about God's faithfulness over his lifetime. He sent the poem to his good friend William Runyan who then wrote the melody to the hymn we know as “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”

It was not until 1945 when George Beverly Shea began to sing “Great is Thy Faithfulness” at the Billy Graham evangelistic crusades, that the hymn was heard around the world.

Certainly our world needs the message of “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” The author had many health problems and financial difficulties. Can any of us relate to that experience? The last verse offers us the hope we need: “Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!”

When we are honest with our desires, we want an enduring peace. When our daily struggles leave us weak, we need strength for the day. When the night is the darkest and all hope is lost, we yearn for the hope of tomorrow that comes from Jesus Christ. Then we can thank God every morning for our blessings. All the blessings we have and the blessings for the entire world because of God’s great love.

Rev. Clayton Coffey is the lead pastor of the Koinonia Team Ministry United Methodist Church

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: The Lord gives us hope and encouragement