THE FAMILY ALTAR

 July 28.

"It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for

the salvation of the Lord" Lam. 3:26.

Jerusalem, the proud city of David, had fallen before the

victorious armies of King Neb-u-chad-nez'-zar. Its mighty walls

and glorious Temple lay in ruins. Its priests and princes and

people were led away into the long and shameful captivity of

Babylon. Weeping and lamenting its sad fate, Jeremiah sings

its funeral song in the five chapters of his book called Lamenta-

tions. Darkest night is about him, but he knows that the Lord

God whose just anger has destroyed the wicked city has also given

him the promise that in due time the children of Israel shall return

from their captivity and again build the walls of Jerusalem. This

sure promise of his God is the star of hope that illumines the

night about him and cheers his grieving heart. Now he will

quietly wait for its fulfilment. Here we see what patient hope

and constant faith mean for our Christian life. This patient hope

is not a dull resignation to the unchangeable sorrowful conditions

in which we may find ourselves, but it is a sure and lively trust

in the promised help of our God that cannot fail us. And, oh,

it is a good thing; for with its sweet songs of God's unfailing

love and approaching help, it comforts the grieving heart, gives

new courage to the despairing mind, overcomes all enervating fear,

bears you triumphantly out of the Slough of Despond, and shortens

the long night of waiting.