One of the greatest times of trial on record for the people of God was during the time of the exile in Babylon, when many were removed from the land forced to move to the heart of the great pagan empire as the city of Jerusalem was destroyed. The book of Lamentations chronicles the cry of the heart of the people of God at that time. Lamentations 3 speaks to trusting the Lord in dark times: “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’ The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it on him.

Delighting in God’s people was challenging for David too. He knew the frustrations of sin and betrayal even within the community of God’s people. Nonetheless, David insists that there is reason to delight in them. He insists that they are the “glorious ones” (v. 3). There is something intrinsically wonderful about the people of God. This is highlighted in verse 4 by the contrast painted by David: “The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.” As David delights in the people of God, he turns his mind’s eye to the surrounding peoples who worship idols. And David sees in them and in their pattern of life a way of misery. He sees that their sorrows are great and will only increase. In contrast, David sees that safety is found in the company of God’s people.

One of the hardest things about the Christian life is that we do not see the full outworking of the plan of God – of the promises of God – this side of the grave. We see indications and glimpses. We see God at work. But so much is unfinished and unseen. With many projects in this world (home renovations, etc.), we have the satisfaction of seeing the end result. But the journey of faith is not like that. We live in hope of God’s promises. We stake everything on His word. We invest ourselves in serving Him for as many years as He gives us. And then we die – we are buried – and we trust and believe that we will see the fruit of our efforts on the other side of the grave.

Of course, the Name that is “above all other names” (Phil. 2:19) belongs to Jesus Christ. There is so much power and majesty in the Name of Jesus. Would you consider coming to God through this glorious Name to be made new – to be cleansed of sin, restored, and called God’s own child? A fresh start awaits. A new identity beckons. A God-given purpose calls. And when you finish your race of faith on earth, you will receive yet another name. As Revelation 2:17 declares, “To the one who overcomes… I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone.” To God be the glory!

Clearly, the reality of Christ’s resurrection is cause for great hope! The resurrection extends to all Christ-followers. Paul explains, “as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (v. 22). In this sense, Christ is the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (v. 20). This is the very anchor of the Christian faith that holds in all storms of life.