Lamentations 3:21-23 - Hope Springs from Gods Faithful Love and Compassion Every Morning.
Lamentations 3:21-23 (NKJV) This I recall to
my mind, Therefore I have hope. 22 Through the
Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His
compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21-23 (NLT) Yet I still dare
to hope when I remember this: 22 The faithful
love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never
cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies
begin afresh each morning.
INTRODUCTION
In Jerusalem's darkest moment, Jeremiah's
heart was strengthened with one ray of hope: "The
faithful love of the LORD never ends! ... Great is
his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each
morning." God had promised Israel that punishment
would follow disobedience, and it did. But God
also had promised future restoration and
blessing, and Jeremiah knew that God would keep that
promise also. God had been faithful in bringing
judgment on the people of Jerusalem for their sins,
and he would also be faithful in bringing
restoration to those who returned to him. God is
faithful - both in punishment and grace.
Perhaps you feel broken by God - maybe
even abandoned. Let each new day be a reminder to
you that God is faithful. With each new day, he
has given you a new opportunity to respond to
his grace, to change, to love him more, and to
give up the sins you've cherished.
God's steadfast love and mercy are
greater than any sin, and he promises forgiveness.
Submit to the yoke of his discipline, and trust in
him for the forgiveness and restoration that he
has promised. [One Year NLT SB re Lam.
3:19-27]
COMMENTARY PEARL
Two beautiful Chinese hibiscus plants are
displaying all their glory on our deck this summer.
Their bright yellow flowers attract hummingbirds,
butterflies, and bees. My husband, Hal, and I enjoy
watching the pollinators dart among the blooms. But
what I find most interesting about the hibiscus
is that each day a lovely bloom withers away -
only to be replaced by another one the next
morning.
The flowers bring to mind one of my
favorite hymns, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, and
the songs lyric, Morning by morning new
mercies I see. For me, those blooms represent the
new mercies granted to me every single day. My
eyes opened this morning. New mercy. Im able
to get out of bed and move about. New mercy.
Hal and I have good health. New mercy. My home
is intact after heavy rains overnight. New
mercy. I have food, shelter, clothing, and clean
water. New mercy. No harm came upon us as we slept.
New mercy.
The writer of Lamentations recognized
that despite all the difficulties and
disappointments he and his people had endured, he still has
hope because of Gods faithful love. Just as
Jesus grants new hibiscus blooms to spring forth
each day, He also allows His new mercies, His
hope, to fall upon me. His mercies are a gift
given daily, beautiful, fragrant, and full of
promise, just like our hibiscus. Barbranda Lumpkins
Walls
Faith Step: Look around and take stock.
What new mercies has Jesus granted you just since
youve awakened? What words of thanksgiving will
you offer Him? [Mornings With Jesus 2023
Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Lamentations 3:21-23 - Hope Springs from
Gods Faithful Love and Compassion Every Morning.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220424-0932.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20211104-0851.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190829-1101.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/