Lamentations 3:21–25) This I recall to my mind,    Therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,    For his compassions [mercies] never fail. They are new every morning;    Great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,     “Therefore I have hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him,    To the person who seeks him. Then, in a partial explanation of how this can be, in the midst of great suffering, Jeremiah says in verses 32–33, For if he [God] causes grief,    Then he will have compassion According to his abundant lovingkindness.    For he does not afflict willingly Or grieve the sons of men. This means that the mercies of God are often hidden and hard to recognize when they are happening. He does “cause grief” (verse 32). He does “afflict” (verse 33). But all this serves another purpose — a merciful purpose — if we trust him. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pastor-lucy-paynter/support