God’s Faithfulness in Hard Seasons – A Study on Lamentations 3:22–23

SOAP Bible Study – Lamentations 3:22–23

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is thy faithfulness."

S – Scripture

Sometimes the most healing thing we can do is slow down enough to notice every single word in a verse. Try reading this out loud:

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is thy faithfulness." – Lamentations 3:22–23

Let the words wash over you: steadfast love… never ceases… new every morning…

O – Observation

The book of Lamentations is a cry of repentance and hope in the midst of deep loss. Written after Jerusalem’s destruction by the Babylonian army in 587 B.C., it captures the grief of God’s people—yet also their faith in His mercy. The city had fallen. The covenant relationship between God and His people had been ruptured by sin. Still, the author (unnamed, but deeply connected to the suffering of the nation) calls them to turn back to God, just as he has.

In chapter 3, we hear from someone who has endured unimaginable hardship. He acknowledges the justice of God’s discipline but also proclaims that God’s faithful love remains. Even in ruins, there is a promise: His mercies will meet us again tomorrow.

The Hebrew words here are rich with meaning:

• Chesed – steadfast love, a loyal and committed love that acts, not just feels.
• Rachamim – mercy, rooted in the word for “womb,” evoking a nurturing, protective love.
• Emunah – faithfulness, carrying the weight of truth, steadiness, and dependability.

This isn’t a distant, conditional kind of love. It’s personal. It’s relational. God is loyal, reliable, and committed to His people—even when they stray.

A – Application

Lately, I’ve been looking back on the paths I’ve taken—some wise, some full of wrong turns. There have been seasons where I wasn’t consistent in following God, times when I chased my own plans instead of His. And yet, here I am. Protected. Kept. Loved.

The troubles in my life haven’t magically disappeared. But I can look back and see God’s hand, even when I wasn’t paying attention. His love is constant—a steady presence that doesn’t push me away when I’ve drifted.

Human relationships often struggle with that kind of steadfastness. We forgive, but we can also hold grudges. We welcome people back, but only so many times. God’s love doesn’t work like that. He continues to take us in, again and again. Not abusively. Not conditionally. But as a Shepherd, a Father, a Friend who is safe, holy, and unchanging.

And here’s something important—God’s steadfast love is not the same as enabling harmful behavior. His mercy calls us to restoration, but also to alignment with His ways. In the same way, our love for others can hold space for forgiveness while still honoring healthy boundaries. Mercy and boundaries are not opposites—they actually protect each other. God shows us that love can be both deeply compassionate and wisely protective.

He doesn’t sin—we do. And still, His mercies meet us fresh every morning.

Somatic Pause

Before we pray, let’s pause and allow our bodies to slow down so our hearts can listen.

• Place one hand over your heart and the other on your belly.
• Take three slow, deep breaths. Feel both hands rise and fall.
• As you exhale, imagine releasing the weight you’ve been carrying this week.
• Notice the support beneath you—whether it’s the chair holding you or the ground beneath your feet.

 

P – Prayer

Lord, thank You for being the kind of God who doesn’t let go. Thank You for the fresh mercy that will meet me tomorrow morning, no matter how today went. Help me to trust Your faithfulness more than my own strength. Teach me to rest in Your steadfast love, even when life feels uncertain. Amen.

Reflection Prompt:
Where in your life do you need to be reminded that God’s mercy will meet you again tomorrow morning? How might setting healthy boundaries make space for that mercy to flourish?