Lamentations 3:21
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Lamentations 3:21
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The key insight here is that the prophet isn't recalling something externally comforting, but rather actively choosing to bring to mind something internal – a deliberate mental shift from despair to hope. This act of "calling to mind" signifies a conscious decision to focus on God's nature and promises, even when his circumstances offer no solace.
After a profound outpouring of personal suffering and the dire state of his people, the prophet shifts from despair to hope. He deliberately turns his mind away from the overwhelming circumstances of ruin and toward specific truths about God. This deliberate recall of God’s character and steadfast love is what sparks his renewed hope amidst the ashes.
When everything around you feels broken and hopeless, where do you turn? The prophet Jeremiah doesn't just stumble upon hope; he chooses it.
Jeremiah begins this verse with a powerful declaration: 'But this I call to mind.' The Hebrew word here suggests a deliberate, active process – bringing something back to your heart and mind. It’s not passive recollection, but an intentional act of will.
Think about it: Jeremiah is in the depths of despair, surrounded by the ruins of Jerusalem and the suffering of his people. His natural inclination might be to focus on the crushing reality. But instead, he consciously decides to focus on something else.
This intentionality is key. Hope isn't always an emotion that just hits you; sometimes, it's a decision you make, fueled by faith. You actively recall truths that lift you above your circumstances.
What exactly does Jeremiah 'call to mind' that sparks such a powerful shift from despair to hope? It’s not his own strength, but God Himself.
The commentators highlight that 'this' refers to what follows, particularly the nature and character of God. Jeremiah isn't finding hope in a change of circumstances, but in an unchanging God.
He begins to think about the Lord's mercies (verse 22), His compassions that are new every morning (verse 23), and His great faithfulness (verse 23). These aren't abstract ideas; they are attributes of the God he serves.
When we face overwhelming challenges, it's easy to feel forgotten or abandoned. But Scripture consistently points us back to God's inherent goodness, His unfailing love, and His steadfast faithfulness. This understanding of who God is becomes the bedrock of our hope, even when our situation offers no visible reason for it.
This verse marks a pivotal turn in Lamentations, shifting from utter despair over Jerusalem's destruction to a fragile hope rooted in God's enduring mercy, even amidst profound national catastrophe.
c. 627 BC - 586 BC
Jeremiah's Ministry and Babylonian Threat
Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period leading up to and during the Babylonian exile, warning Judah of impending destruction due to their sin.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar, conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, and deported a significant portion of the population, plunging survivors into deep despair.
c. 586 BC - 570 BC
Writing of Lamentations
The Book of Lamentations, traditionally attributed to Jeremiah, was likely written in the immediate aftermath of Jerusalem's destruction, reflecting the profound grief and devastation.
c. 586 BC onwards
Babylonian Exile
The Judean elite and skilled workers were exiled to Babylon, living in a foreign land under oppressive conditions, fueling a sense of loss and longing for home.
This passage directly parallels Lamentations 3:21, as the Psalmist recalls God's past faithfulness when feeling down, saying 'I will remember these things and pour out my soul within me.' It highlights the act of remembering good amidst despair as a source of hope.
Romans 5:3-5Paul speaks about how 'suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.' This echoes Lamentations 3:21 by showing how difficult experiences, when processed with faith, can forge a strong and enduring hope.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10Here, Paul finds strength in weakness, as God's power is made perfect in his limitations. This connects to the idea in Lamentations that even in the depths of despair, recalling something beyond one's immediate circumstances—God's character or promise—can lead to hope.
Hebrews 11:1This foundational verse defines faith as 'the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.' Lamentations 3:21 is a powerful demonstration of this principle, where the prophet actively chooses to recall truths that give him assurance and hope, even when circumstances scream the opposite.
barnesLamentations 3:21: "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope."
This I recall - Rather, "This will I bring back to my heart, therefore will I hope." Knowing that God hears the prayer of the contrite, he begins again to hope.
pooleLamentations 3:21: "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope."
This, not what was already said, that made them despair, and their souls to bow down; but this, that which followeth, concerning the nature of God, and other good providences. I see nothing in the circumstances of my condition to comfort me, but I see something in God’s nature, and in some other dispensations of his providence, which gives me ground to hope for better things than an utter ruin and destruction.
The key insight here is that the prophet isn't recalling something externally comforting, but rather actively choosing to bring to mind something internal – a deliberate mental shift from despair to hope. This act of "calling to mind" signifies a conscious decision to focus on God's nature and promises, even when his circumstances offer no solace.
After a profound outpouring of personal suffering and the dire state of his people, the prophet shifts from despair to hope. He deliberately turns his mind away from the overwhelming circumstances of ruin and toward specific truths about God. This deliberate recall of God’s character and steadfast love is what sparks his renewed hope amidst the ashes.
After a profound outpouring of personal suffering and the dire state of his people, the prophet shifts from despair to hope. He deliberately turns his mind away from the overwhelming circumstances of ruin and toward specific truths about God. This deliberate recall of God’s character and steadfast love is what sparks his renewed hope amidst the ashes.
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"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:" — The key insight here is that the prophet isn't recalling something externally comforting, but rather actively choosing to bring to mind something internal – a deliberate mental shift from despair t…