Have you ever felt that life makes about as much sense as a Fiddler on the Roof? Having recently watched a DVD of MGM’s 1971 major movie production, it’s still on my mind.
I googled the actor known as “Topol,” who plays Tevye the dairy farmer, father of three girls, and a man sincere about his faith. Topol played Tevye on stage and screen for several decades and figured he played him 3,500 times!
Why is Tevye in my thoughts today? It has to do with the way he pondered how to act in answer to hard questions. He’d stare off into space and say, “On the one hand (this),” but then, “On the other hand (that).”
While reading Lamentations 3, I thought of Tevye as Jeremiah pondered the pros and cons of his hard times vs. hope in God. I was reading the *AMP Bible, but I also read it in the *NLT, and *BSB.
Choose your favorite translation, and read it for yourself. Here’s what I drew from it:
Jeremiah lists the hard things first (v 1-20):
- He has health problems (v. 4)
- God seems far away (v. 2, 8)
- He’s unsure of what to do (v. 9)
- People consider him a joke (v. 14)
- He has no peace or happiness (v 17)
BUT (YET) he begins to hope in God . . . in the character of God! (v. 21-36).
- God is merciful and faithful (v. 22-23)
- He responds to those who seek Him (v. 25)
- It's good to wait on God (v. 26, 31)
- In our grief, God has compassion (v. 32-33)
- God answers prayer (v. 53-56)
· Now the choice is ours. In Lamentations 3:40-41, Jeremiah says we need to carefully examine (consider) our ways and turn to God, lifting not only our hands but our hearts to Him.
Yes, it requires time, but what doesn't? Serving the Lord is a very personal choice and deserves our careful consideration.
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