How do we navigate these perplexing times? Some are so busy, some are so bored. Some are some processing through anxiety, some through denial. Some are enjoying lock down. Some experiencing all these together.

We can tend to cope by stoicism:

Keep Calm and …

1) wash your hands (do what you're told)

2) drink tea (enjoy some comfort)

3) play football (get distracted)

These are all good, but the bible has this advice in Jude:

Jude v.21: "keep yourselves in God's love"

Knowing the love of God now fuels our future hope of glory:

Romans 5:5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

It is thought by many that Jeremiah wrote Lamentations. As its name suggests it's a sad book, full of sorrow. It is written following the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. It's made up of five poems, structured around chapter 3.

Lamentations 3:22, 23 Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Although full of right judgments for sin, Jeremiah is a love story.

Psalm 30:5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favour lasts a lifetime

We know this Love through seeing, hearing and feeling with our eyes, ears and hearts.

EYES: The Lord's Great love is seen in CREATION

Psalm 145:8-9 The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

Look around at the stunning detail of creation. At each stage of creation God delighted in it. It's an expression of the God of love.

EARS: We hear the truth of God's of love in Christ

His compassions/mercies are most manifest in Christ:

Ephesians 2:4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our sins.

HEARTS: We experience God's amazing covenant love

"They are new every morning"

Jeremiah 31 - describes a new covenant, writing God's requirements on heart and mind. We get to know God personally.

Adam was a poor companion for Eve. He stayed passively silent as she sinned.

We need a better companion - the Holy Spirit helps us. The grace He gives is fresh and new every day.

God is in the NEW. Don't look for yesterday's manna.

Ecclesiastes 7:10 Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions.

God's mercies help us today and they will help us tomorrow.

Questions:

• Keep calm and… What things do we default to when we feel overwhelmed?
• Keep in the love of God. See it, Hear it, Feel it. Which of these sensations do you connect with most easily. Which is hardest for you?
• Seeing: Does creation help you see the love of God? How?
• Hearing: Do you hear the God of love speaking when you read scripture? How?
• Feeling: How do you feel the love of God? Why is it so vital we experience his love?