Jeremiah cried out to the Lord in the first 18 verses, but he said, "even when I cry out and call for help, He shuts out my prayer" (Lamentations 3:8). Jeremiah felt like God had basically knocked him to the earth and kicked him while he was down. "He has broken my teeth with gravel; He has made me cower in the dust," he said in verse 16.
Who would have thought in the midst of this kind of language a POSITIVE thought would be presented? Lamentations 3:19-38 is some of the greatest positive language of faith and trust in the Old Testament! Here is my favorite snippet from this chapter:
Lamentations 3:22-26
22 The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
24 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him."
25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him.
26 It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the LORD.
When things aren't going well, can I pray this prayer?
Nathan