It is difficult to fathom the devastation that fell upon God’s people when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed. The physical ruins were but a fraction of the sorrow. The deeper pain lay in the crumbling of hopes, dreams, and the very identity of Israel. Their place of worship, the symbol of God’s presence among them, was gone. How could they move forward?

Many of us, in our own ways, have experienced such devastation. Perhaps not in the form of fallen city walls, but in ministries shaken by crisis, in churches struggling under the weight of division, in seasons of uncertainty where leaders falter, or when sin is exposed in ways that leave deep scars. These moments were never part of our plans, yet they arrive, and when they do, they can shake the very foundation of our faith.

But even in the darkest of times, Lamentations reminds us of a powerful truth—God never abandons His people. In the very heart of this book, amidst sorrow and grief, we find this declaration:

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

God’s mercy is not absent in trials. Rather, it is in these moments that we see His faithfulness most clearly. He is not only the God of the past—the God of the temple, the God of what once was—but He is also the God of new beginnings, of restoration, and of hope.

Church, perhaps it is time to take an honest look at where we stand today.

•What wounds from the past still linger in our ministries?

•What burdens are we carrying that keep us from moving forward?

•Are we clinging to an idealized version of what once was instead of embracing the prophetic work of renewal that God is calling us to today?

If your ministry, your family, or your faith has been shaken, know this: God is still faithful. His mercies are still new every morning. The thread of hope runs through even the most difficult trials, and if we are willing to let go of the past and lean into His plan, He will do a new work among us.

So, let us renew our dreams—not based on what was, but on what God is doing now. Let us step forward in faith, trusting that even in crisis, He is making a way.