By Pastor Steve Nickodemus
Hope in Affliction.
You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.
“I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall… Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.”
Lamentations 3:19, 22 New International Version
I have always been fascinated by trains. The mighty locomotives, the boxcars, the tankers, the caboose, the rails running off forever. When we lived in Sandpoint, Idaho, we heard and saw trains daily. And it was especially the long, lonesome whistles at night that made me think of the Hank Williams’ song, “Evening Train.”
“Evening Train” is about a young man whose wife has died and left him with their small child. Her body is being taken out of town on “the evening train.” One writer called it the saddest song that he had ever heard.
Is your life like the long, lonely whistle of that evening train? Is it filled with the pain of grief or hurt or loss or sadness? Do you feel hopeless about what to do with your future when your heart is so wracked with present pain? Do you remember your “affliction and wandering, your bitterness and gall”? Does everything before you look only like darkness?
Then hear these words of the prophet in great distress, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.” God’s great love comes out of His grief at the death of His own Son, our Lord Jesus who died for us. Out of His forsakenness comes mercy and compassion and forgiveness and resurrection and hope. Out of His sacrifice comes the peace that only the Lord can give. In Him we can live through the long, lonely whistles and the dark nights…
Lord, in the midst of my pain and sorrow I call to you. Answer me and bring me comfort and healing for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado
I lost my first born son to cancer one year ago. It has been one of the hardest years of my life. I indeed started to fall into bitterness It is only by focusing on father that I was even able to get through it. But still I have days that are dark and life seems too much to bear. As in years past I find myself searching for answers to the seemingly pointless tragedy of all of this.
Years ago, when I was searching for help with my journey, father led me to a place and to a brother that helped open my eyes to seeing father and the Scriptures in a way that freed my heart and soul. That little Church by the lake felt like I was coming home. So in the midst of another tough day, I once again asked father for help. Somehow that led me to a couple of Lutheran pastors on YouTube. They had messages that, once again help me through the darkness.
That led me to a couple different blogs with messages of hope.
I suppose I should be surprised that this showed up in my email, but very little father does surprises me anymore.
Thank you for these words that have touched me so close to my heart and helped me find peace this day.. i will say this, it is easier said than done. But God always finds a way. And in the end our faith, our love for him and his precious love for us, is all we have. Godspeed
Thank you so much for sharing. I can’t even imagine the pain of losing one of your children. May God in Christ continue to give you comfort and peace in your daily struggles.