By Memory Verse: Lamentations 3:31–33: Day 1
“The Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men.” –Lamentations 3:31–33
When we are in times of grief, it can feel like we have been cast off forever from the presence of the Lord. This verse in Lamentations shows that those feelings are not unwarranted. Jeremiah acknowledges that God is the one who has caused grief upon the people of Israel. This affliction is described by God himself as being cast off. The promise is that he will not cast off forever; but for a time the feelings of abandonment are true and justified.
My eldest daughter Ali used to knit quite often. I remember when she would end her column of stitches she would cast off the knitting needles. When she would do this the project was complete and done being worked upon. During times of grief, the Lord at times casts us off the knitting needles even though the project of our sanctification is far from complete. He does this, according to our text, because of the abundance of his steadfast love. He does not afflict his children because he enjoys it, but rather because it is necessary.
Leading Family Devotions 