God's Faithfulness Is Great (Lamentations 3:22-26)
Introduction:
1. In these verses Jeremiah mentioned several of God's characteristics, including His mercies, His compassion, and His faithfulness. 2. In describing God's faithfulness, Jeremiah said that it is "great" (vs.23). 3. God's people needed to hear this message because they were in captivity. 4. Jeremiah also mentioned several ways in which these characteristics affect God's children -- they especially provide hope. 5. In our lesson we are examining 4 of God's servants who needed to be reminded that "God's faithfulness is great." Discussion: I. JOB NEEDED TO BE REMINDED THAT GOD'S FAITHFULNESS IS GREAT
A. Even though Job was a righteous man, he suffered great trials (Job 1-2). B. When Satan afflicted Job, he did not immediately curse God. C. He eventually expressed his feelings (Job 3:1-6, 25), indicating that he had concerns about God's faithfulness toward him. D. Job eventually regained his confidence in God's faithfulness (Job 42:1-2, 12). II. ELIJAH NEEDED TO BE REMINDED THAT GOD'S FAITHFULNESS IS GREAT
A. After Elijah destroyed the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18), Jezebel threatened to take his life (1 Kings 19:1-2). B. Elijah went into the wilderness and wanted to die (1 Kings 19:3-4). C. Elijah's comments [in 1 Kings 19:9-10] indicate that he questioned God's faithfulness toward him. D. He learned there was no need to question God's faithfulness (1 Kings 19:18). E. Elijah survived this time of difficulty, he continued serving God faithfully, and he was taken to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). III. DAVID NEEDED TO BE REMINDED THAT GOD'S FAITHFULNESS IS GREAT
A. David had great confidence in God's faithfulness (Psalm 21:1-4; 23:1). B. David's statements [in Psalm 22:1-2] indicate that he questioned God's faithfulness toward him. C. We must keep in mind that Saul made numerous attempts to kill David, and David avoided Saul a long time. D. According to Psalm 22:3-5, David had a change of mind (Psalm 36:5). IV. JEREMIAH NEEDED TO BE REMINDED THAT GOD'S FAITHFULNESS IS GREAT
A. Jeremiah had great confidence in God's faithfulness (Lamentations 3:23). B. However, his comments [in Jeremiah 20:7-9a] indicate that he questioned God's faithfulness toward him. C. According to Jeremiah 20:9b-11, Jeremiah had a change of mind. V. APPLICATION
A. The Bible emphasizes that fact that God is faithful and that He will provide what we need to bear up under difficulties (1 Corinthians 10:13). B. What can we learn from Job, Elijah, David, and Jeremiah? 1. We learn from Job that we sometimes just have to hang on, even though we may not understand why a certain trial has come our way (James 5:11). 2. We learn from Elijah that we must communicate effectively with God. 3. We learn from David to reflect upon God's goodness from the past. 4. We learn from Jeremiah about the value of hiding God's Word in the heart. Conclusion:
1. Let us always remember that "God's faithfulness is great." 2. Let us also remember that He will provide the blessings we need so we can remain faithful to Him (1 Corinthians 10:13).
