Lamentations 1:1-3:36

We start Lamentations with the prophet (some think Jeremiah is the author) grieving over the condition of Jerusalem after the battle with the Babylonians and the exile from the city. Even though the prophecy was in place, the reality is sometimes extremely hard to accept and deal with. It can be compared to losing a loved one that you understand is going to die. Seeing that process and being there when it happens is hard to deal with even when we understand that it is best. The suffering the Lord was trying to relieve was not physical, it was spiritual. Death in God's eyes is spiritual death. Jesus said of many people, they are not dead they only sleep (Lazarus and the official's child), but He called the Pharisees walking dead men. They were physically alive, but spiritually dead. The suffering or correction in their life was to prevent death. We must trust the Lord to bring us through the grieving process with a proper perspective (His). He asks the Lord to comfort him during this process and acknowledges his sin. That's when God starts healing and can do the required repair work for our condition.

In Chapter 2 we get a picture of the Lord stretching out His hand with a measuring line. The scriptures tell us we will be repaid with the same measuring line we used for our dealings with others and with God. It also shows Gods restraint in our correction. We could never withstand His full wrath. Jerusalem was in ruins, but not completely destroyed. This was all because His people turned from Him and believed false prophets due to a lack of discernment that always accompanies sin ("her prophets no longer find visions from the LORD.."). NIV

In chapter 3 we see He finds hope in a hopeless situation.
21 "Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your
faithfulness.24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."25
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;26 it is good to
wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD." NIV
The Lord will bring hope to your situation as you search for Him and pour out your heart. He always hears our cries. He says He will give His children good things when they ask. His answer is not necessarily in material things.