10/2 Lamentations 3:25-26

²⁵ The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. ²⁶ It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

After one of the most difficult books in the Bible to read, after reading God's determined judgment and all its severity, we come to the poems of weeping and read that the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases (Lamentations 3:22). It seems contradictory unless we understand that the judgment God delivered came from His steadfast love. It grieves God to see His people worshiping false Gods to their own harm. It pains Him to see the poor abused. His warnings were often framed as pleas to return to Him. That is because His steadfast love never fails.

Those who survived the destruction of Jerusalem were told how they could return to the God of steadfast love and find mercy again. He is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. God doesn't always answer when we'd like. Souls that have truly placed their trust and hope in Him will not run ahead and try to find a solution outside of the LORD. They will wait expectantly, knowing that His timing is perfect. They surrender themselves to His will because they trust He knows best.

Waiting quietly for His salvation means they aren't whining about their plight. They know they deserve whatever may come their way and more (Lamentations 3:39), but they also know it is all in the hands of a God whose love is unchanging. It is not easy to wait and look to God in the midst of difficulty, but those who do so have the promise that God will be good to them.

Consider: How do you react to adversity? Will you learn to quietly wait for His salvation as you seek Him?