It Could Have Been Worse

Lamentations 3:19
I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.

Lamentations 3:21
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

Lamentations 3:22
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

Prophet Jeremiah is the writer of these lamentations. The book of lamentations was written at the time when Israel was being destroyed by Babylonians and they were being carried to Captivity. That is the event that the prophet is lamenting, or crying or mourning or weeping about.

Chapter three begins with a description of painful events that took place in Israel. Brutal death and wanton destruction of property. The situation described is so bad that the prophet feels that God has abandoned His people. He feels God has been too hard on them and he cries for mercy.

The tone of the chapter is somber and hopeless until our text today becomes the turning point of the mood of the lament. The prophet tells us that he has painful memories of what happened and yet he has hope. The prophet has hope because of God’s great love.

Even in times of great pain and suffering, the prophet tells us that God has been loving. The prophet tells us that if it was not for God’s love they would have been consumed. What the prophet says is that while what happened was bad, yet because of God’s love the worse did not become the worst. It could have been worse.

It is true all property was lost, but if it was not for God’s daily love, it would have been worse. It is true the nationhood was lost, but if it was not for God’s daily love for us, it could have been worse. It is true that some lives were lost, but if it was not for God’s daily unfailing love, it could have been worse. It is true that many were taken to captivity, but if it had not been for God’s daily love, it could have been worse. It is true that seventy years of captivity is long, but if it was not for God’s unfailing love, it could have been worse.

Lamentations 3:39
Why should the living complain
when punished for their sins?

What the prophet is telling us today is that the worst experiences we have had have been highly regulated by God, or else it could have been worse. You lost your job because of retrenchment or an un-renewed contract, if it was not for God’s love, you would have lost it for embarrassing reasons like incompetence or you would have died at work. It could have been worse. That painful heartbreak is regulated by God, it could have been worse, you could be killed by your partner in that relationship. It could have been worse.

That death was bad but it could have been worse if you were dealing with seriously sick people in a vegetative state and rising expenses. It could have been worse. That diagnosis is bad, but with so many diseases around us and for the length of life you have lived, God is great, otherwise, it could have been worse. You could have been diagnosed early but God has allowed you time. You could have died instantly. It is bad but it could have been worse.

Whatever happens to you, be grateful because it could have been worse. It is bad, it is painful, but it could have been worse. There is no situation that can’t degenerate further or has a worse alternative. God is gracious and He has regulated what could have been worse. It could have been worse!

Lamentations 3:31-33
(31) For no one is cast off
by the Lord forever.
(32) Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love.
(33) For he does not willingly bring affliction
or grief to anyone.

The situation may be bad, but it will not last long, because God reduces the time and pain of suffering. God who allows suffering also later on shows compassion. Therefore, let us in tears remain grateful for it could have been worse. Thank you, Jesus, Amen!

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