Lamentations 3:21
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:

What do you call to mind?

As the name of the book suggests, Jeremiah was lamenting his nation’s downfall as a result of God’s judgment on them. The nation had been handed over to their enemies as a direct result of that judgment. They’d been overcome and subdued by their enemies resulting in many even being taken into exile – against their will.

Her are a few excerpts of his lament from Lamentations…

1:15
“…the Lord has trodden as in a winepress the virgin daughter of Judah.”
1:17
the LORD has commanded against Jacob that his neighbors should be his foes;
2:1
He has cast down from heaven to earth the splendor of Israel;
(The stark contrast of their situation before and after – yes, it was that bad!)
2:2
The Lord has swallowed up without mercy all the habitations of Jacob;
That’s how it felt like!
2:5
The Lord has become like an enemy; he has swallowed up Israel;
2:21
My young women and my young men have fallen by the sword;

It was a dark and seemingly hopeless time for the whole nation. They were in a state of utter shock and disbelief. They were struggling to come to terms with their defeat and occupation. They had hit rock bottom. They could not fall any further.

Lamentations 1:16
for a comforter is far from me, one to revive my spirit;

It was a very difficult time in the history of God’s people. Their dire circumstances would have caused them to question God’s character and faithfulness. But not Jeremiah.

For the record, he did not deny but openly acknowledged the gravity and apparent hopelessness of their situation. Yet in the midst – almost bang in the middle – of his lament, Jeremiah chooses to turn to God. It is a choice that he made, an intentional act – to “call to mind” the things of God even as he is faced with despair and defeat.

Lamentations 3:21
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:

Jeremiah could have continued wallowing in self pity on a downward trajectory of despair and defeat. Instead, he chose to call to mind the character of God. Jeremiah’s words demonstrate a firm resolve. Regardless of the calamity that had befallen the nation, he was determined on calling to mind what he details in the verses that follow. In his (and the nation’s) darkest moment, Jeremiah knew his hope was not lost forever. What Jeremiah chooses to call to mind in the verses that follow is what essentially renews and sustains his hope.

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

He directs his mind to recall the permanent and unchanging nature of God. He is intentional in choosing to dwell on God’s unending love. He remembers His fresh mercies that are new every morning. He reflects on God’s humongous faithfulness.

Why does he do that? Because it is precisely in calling to mind God’s unchanging nature that hope is renewed and not lost.

It is a focus and gaze on God that steadies our hearts and renews our hope.

Jeremiah chose to reflect on God to stay his hope and restore his soul. Lamentations 3:24
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

In the midst of total disaster, his soul declares her hope in God. She is encouraged by the calling to mind of the steadfast love of The Lord, His unending mercies and great faithfulness.

Do you do that?

Do you resolve to recall God’s goodness and mercy when you’re down and out, defeated and deflated, overthrown and overwhelmed by enemy or circumstances?

After all, it is your choice.