某個國家爆發內戰，一名男子被當局徵召入伍，但他斷然拒絕。他說：「我不願意成為摧毀自己國家的一分子。」於是他離開這個國家，但由於沒有合適的簽證，他最終被困在另一個國家的機場好幾個月。在這段時間，機場員工為這名男子提供食物，數千人關注他的推文，而他在航廈之間徘徊，編織圍巾，心中仍存著盼望，等待脫離困境。後來，加拿大的一個團體得知他長期遭遇的困境，為他申請以難民身分到加拿大，還募款幫他找到工作和房子。

耶利米哀歌記述先知耶利米的呼求，他等候上帝，等待上帝結束對祂子民犯罪的管教。在等候中，耶利米依然信靠這位永恆的上帝，因他知道這位上帝值得信賴。就像他說：「凡等候耶和華，心裡尋求祂的，耶和華必施恩給他」（3章25節）。即使在困難重重、無法解脫之時，上帝的子民仍然能夠擁有盼望。雖然他們可能需要謙卑地接受上帝的管教，但他們可以堅信「或者還有盼望」（29節，新譯本）。認識上帝的人能經歷從祂而來的盼望，正如耶利米說：「人仰望耶和華，靜默等候祂的救恩，這原是好的。」（26節）

在沒有答案或任何明確出路的景況下，我們只能等候那位上帝來幫助我們，而祂已一次次地證明祂信實可靠！

When a country erupted in civil war, authorities conscripted a man into military service. However, he objected: “I don’t want any part in destroying [my country].” So he left it. Because he didn’t have proper visas, however, he eventually found himself stuck in another country’s airport. For months, airport employees gave the man food and thousands followed his tweets as he roamed terminals, knitted scarves, and clung to hope. Hearing of his perpetual plight, a community in Canada raised money and found him a job and a house.

The book of Lamentations presents the cry of Jeremiah, who waited for God and the end of His discipline for the sins of his people. The prophet remained confident in an everlasting God who he knew could be trusted. “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him” (3:25). God’s people can experience hope even when troubles overwhelm and relief seems impossible. Though they might need to humbly accept God’s discipline, they can cling to the reality that “there may yet be hope” (v. 29). Those who know God can experience a hope that flows from Him. “It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (v. 26).

Without answers or any clear way of escape, we wait for the God who’s proven Himself faithful over and over again to help us.