Every morning we awake, God gives us just enough mercies to handle today, just enough pain to not overwhelm us, just enough pleasure to fix our gaze on him. And even our lament can be a gift, for tears remind us that we are still alive and recipients of God’s grace. God gives everything in his good measure. Yet his mercies today are only for today.
The Japanese art of kintsugi beholds an object’s brokenness as beauty instead of flaws that must be hidden. Skilled artisans mend broken pottery using melted gold or silver. They gently press each piece together, then seal them with a lacquer until the precious liquid hardens in the cracks. The result is a beautiful design on a previously common vessel.
Our Potter also fashions clay into vessels of his choosing. As God declared of Israel, “I can build you up or break you down. I determine both your purpose and your span of life” (see Jer. 18:1–11). Perhaps this picture grips the prophet Jeremiah as he mourns Jerusalem’s destruction (Lam. 3:1–20). For the Lord has crushed his chosen people. He has torn down city walls and defiled the holy temple. He has allowed their enemies to carry them into exile and seems to have broken his covenant promises. Would God rebuild the nation anew? Would he restore his chosen people?
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope” (Lam. 3:21). We cling to hope in times of brokenness when our lives appear to fall apart. And we actively wait on God when his answers feel slow in coming. For patient hope gathers up the pieces and returns our hearts to him. Such hope comes as we daily rest on the promises of God’s grace. Hope comes as God’s Word captures our foolish thoughts and we embrace his goodness. Hope comes as we fight to orient our hearts toward him and remember our precious Savior. Hope comes as we call to mind that “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).
Hope is the evangelistic beauty in our suffering. It perplexes the world and intrigues even skeptics. For suffering is a language common to humanity, but hope that lasts is spoken only from the heavens. Suffering is a valley where so many have lost their way, but where the light of hope shines brightest.
Consider the example of failing health which requires a medical operation. Gospel hope provides the chance to share with unbelieving loved ones why we are not afraid of surgery. It teaches our children that the faith we speak is not a thin veneer. It gives us words of comfort for the fearful patient in the bed beside us.