Lamentations 3:21-25

Dan Ghinn encourages us through these challenging times of uncertainty

Daniel Ghinn

The COVID-19 pandemic that is currently shaking the nations is also having a unique personal impact on each of us. There's the pain and tragedy caused by the disease itself, and the anxiety faced by many others. While some people have been forced out of work, others are working harder than ever on the front lines of healthcare, food services, deliveries or countless other industries that are part of the coronavirus response.

Many businesses have been quick to 'pivot', making fast changes in their focus in the changing environment to find ways to be part of the COVID-19 response. A gifting app is now using its technology platform to allow groups of people to easily raise funds to help others in need. Thousands of computers that were mining cryptocurrency are now being used to support research to find a therapy for the coronavirus. And a brewer in Scotland has started to produce hand sanitizer.

For each of us as individuals, we are also faced with a changing environment. For some, being out of work is an opportunity to try new things. Many are volunteering to help. For others, it puts them in a desperate situation.

In this season, we may not have chosen the situation we are in, or feel that we have much control over it, but we can choose how to respond.

I spoke with a friend who had a successful consulting role, that had been cut short by cutbacks related to the pandemic. He told me he was enjoying spending the extra time with his children in this season. They won't ever forget that summer when Dad was home.

In the professional role I have as an adviser to health communicators, and for my team, it's been a hectic season. But what a privilege to be able to use the professional skills we have to support the essential work of health communicators the world over.

Lamentations 3:21-25 is a passage that has encouraged me recently. It reminds me of God's unchanging nature. The writer, after colourfully describing his desperation and affliction, reminds himself what God is like:

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope, "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 3:21-23)

God's great faithfulness means he is true to his word; he always keeps his promises.

Last year, at a time when the business world at large was thriving, I led my team through one of the most difficult seasons we had faced in more than twenty years. As I wrestled with the Lord over challenging decisions, I was confident that His faithfulness would see us through. Only now can I see that what we went through last year - the storm we experienced in the business, the pain and heartache and pruning - was to prepare us for this 'storm' now in which He is using us to serve nations. Today, we are growing our team but if we had not been through the pain last year that led us to make important strategic decisions, I believe we would not have been ready to stand at this time. I find that idea to be daunting, but an encouragement to press on with joy.

Finally the writer of Lamentations concludes:

"The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. (Lamentations 3:24-25)

Who knows what lies ahead? He does of course - whether we will thrive or fail - but we can be confident in His faithfulness and goodness.