“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22–23, ESV)

Have you ever felt rejected by God?

Reading through Lamentations, we hear the raw pain of the prophet Jeremiah. He watched his city fall, and he felt as though God Himself had turned against him. “Surely against me he turns his hand again and again the whole day long” (Lamentations 3:3, ESV). Those are not the words of someone with a tidy faith. They’re the words of someone who is hurting.

Maybe you’re in a place of pain right now too. We all find ourselves in heartbreaking situations at times: a financial crisis, the loss of someone we love, the inability to see past today. Sometimes we’re simply standing at the edge of despair.

But standing firm, resolved in the knowledge that we serve a loving God, is a positive step toward hope. In Ephesians 6, Paul tells us again and again to stand (verses 11, 13, and 14): “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore…” (Ephesians 6:13–14, ESV)

Just because we can’t see the end of the road doesn’t mean one small step is insignificant.

We read about so many people in the Bible who faced and knew despair. Abraham and Sarah waited years for a promise that seemed impossible. David ran for his life from enemies who wanted him dead. When Jesus died on the cross, the disciples lost all hope. We are not alone in feeling lost, rejected, hopeless, and overwhelmed with pain.

So, what kept Jeremiah coming back to God when he felt God had turned on him (left him) again and again? He held on to one truth:

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope.” (Lamentations 3:21, ESV)

What did he call to mind? That God’s mercies are new every morning. Even when Jeremiah felt trapped in a heartbreaking calling, speaking hard truths against kings, priests, prophets, and the people of his day, he clung to a glimmer of hope: God’s very nature is steadfast love, and His love was still for him.

The small steps matter. We don’t know how things will unfold, but we do know that God is faithful. And we don’t have to figure it all out alone. James tells us we can cry out to God for wisdom, no matter our state of mind or the choices we’ve been making, and He will answer:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5, ESV)

If today all you can do is stand, then just stand. Take the next small step as you can. His mercies will be waiting for you again tomorrow morning.

Prayer: Lord, some days I can’t see past the pain in front of me. Help me remember that Your love never ceases and Your mercies are new every morning. Give me wisdom for today and the courage to take one small step. Great is Your faithfulness. Amen.