Calling to Mind

“It is a myth that faith is always smiling. The truth is that faith often feels like the very ordinary process of dragging one foot in front of the other” (Ed Welch).

We live in a fallen world, and oftentimes our lives are touched by the ravages of the fall. At times, the pain is chronic, the illness is incurable, and the cancer is inoperable. At times, the persecution is unavoidable, and the tragedy is unstoppable. At times, the days are oppressively grey, and sadness sets in like a thick fog, hiding all from view. At times, the hills are daunting, and the darkness closes all around. During these times, our knees buckle under the pressure, and our shoulders droop under the weight. We feel like Jeremiah whose soul was “bowed down” within him (Lam. 3:20).

What are we to do in such times? “But this I call to mind,” says Jeremiah (v. 21). When facing daunting circumstances, far too many of us succumb to spiritual inertia or emotional implosion. But we must refuse the temptation to sit around feeling sorry for ourselves. Instead, we must (like Jeremiah) engage in serious thinking. The reason is simple: whatever rules our minds will control our lives.

Jeremiah purposefully turns his mind to God, declaring, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (vv. 22–23). Our greatest need is to enjoy a lively sense of God’s steadfast love for us. Because of His love, the Son left a glorious crown, walked in our flesh, and took our infirmities; He gave sight to the blind, speech to the mute, and life to the dead. Because of His love, He was hungry, thirsty, and weary; He was betrayed, arrested, and condemned; He was sorrowful unto death. Because of His love, He climbed a shameful cross to bear our guilt and shame. We enjoy a lively sense of God’s steadfast love when we understand that He did all this for us. He “loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).

When we enjoy a lively sense of God’s steadfast love, we realize that God alone is our “portion” (v. 24). The term “portion” comes from the distribution of the land of Canaan to the Israelites, and it serves to convey the reality that God alone is our inheritance. When we take Him as our portion, we find in Him all we could ever want: an eternal and spiritual good, suitable to our every need. This is the sum and substance of all the promises: “I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Jer. 31:33). This promise is what Christ has purchased for us: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).

And what is the result of “calling this to mind”? In a word, “I have hope” (vv. 21, 24).

     When Darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace. 
     In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.
     On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.