New Every Morning

     Yesterday, our youngest son posted  verses that I have come to love and cling to especially in difficult days.  This wonderful reassuring passage comes from Lamentations 3: 22-24:  "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him."  What comforting words for our eyes to read!  These words were given by the Prophet Jeremiah at the time of Judah's judgment.  He felt sorrow for his people who had wandered far from God, but during this time, he began to consider God's grace, mercy, and compassion.  Isn't that what happens when we go through trials?  We are either driven to God or we run away from Him only compounding our problems.  Jeremiah ran to God for answers.
     While reading messages on Facebook today, I ran across a friend who was going through illness and an eye infection.  She felt miserable, but then, she began to think about others in her life who were facing the loss of a loved one, terminal illness of another friend and the many others facing trials far greater than hers.  She said that this made her realize that even though she did not feel good her situation was much better than others she knew about.  She was doing what Jeremiah did in the middle of his sorrow.  She turned to the Lord and counted her blessings.
     When we take a closer look at the term "steadfast" in verse 22, we see a term used at least 250 times in the Old Testament.  By using this term, Jeremiah was pointing out God's gracious love that includes His forgiveness, mercy, truth and compassion.  The word itself suggests a solid, dependable character.  Indeed, God is all of that and more.  His love never ceases.  Drink that thought in for a moment.  How wonderful to know that despite our faithlessness our God still loves us and calls us back to Him.
     In addition to his love never ending, His mercies to us do not come to an end either.  Instead, every morning, we receive a new batch of mercy from the Lord.  Just like the manna that God fed to His children as they wandered in the wilderness, God's mercies fall upon our hurting hearts each day.  This should give us good reason to rise with joy in the morning!
     Perhaps the greatest word of encouragement that comes from these verses is the news that God is faithful.  He will never leave nor forsake us.  While others may disappoint us, He will never be anything but faithful to the covenant made with those whom He has called through the blood of Christ.  Because of this trait, Jeremiah was able to write that God was His portion, and he would continue to hope in Him no matter what the circumstances looked like.
     No one can predict what tomorrow will bring in our lives, but we know that no matter what happens God is good, faithful and His mercies are new every morning.  This is a truth we need to cling to and rest in on a daily basis.  This is why the Word of God is a treasure for us to read, absorb and grow in.  As we saturate our minds in verses like this, we will find peace of mind and heart in Christ.
     When we rise tomorrow morning, let us thank God for the new mercies He offers us for the day knowing that His love for us is faithful and steadfast.  Selah!