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. Lamentations 3:22-23
As we further consider how to trust God by looking beyond our present circumstances (continuing the emphasis from yesterday’s devotion), let’s look deeper into Jeremiah’s encouraging words recorded in the third chapter of Lamentations. The book of Lamentations was composed during the time when Jerusalem fell to the invading armies of Babylon (in the early years of the 6th century B.C.). The story line of Lamentations depicts Jeremiah seeking relief and comfort from God, having witnessed first-hand both the people of Israel and Judah held in captivity, and the city of Jerusalem destroyed.
The language of the above verses from Lamentations, not unlike the entire book, is reminiscent of the lament Psalms, the woes of the Book of Job, and other like passages of the Hebrew Scriptures that describe the brokenness, darkness, and agony of God’s people. But, the literary structure of this book reveals the very center of its content, chapter three, to be a reprieve to the lament stated before and after this passage. God allowed Jeremiah to take a breath from the surrounding woes to be reminded of the undeniable loving kindness that fully defines the nature of God.
If Jeremiah could look beyond the ash heaps of Jerusalem to be authentically lifted up by God’s nature, then how much more should we look beyond the woes of our brief and momentary struggles to the love and faithfulness of God.
Jeremiah stated, “I call this to mind, and I have hope” (3:21). This verse can literally read, “This I have in mind.” Jeremiah looked at the destruction of his surroundings, and instead of dwelling only on that horrific reality, lifted up his awareness to God’s very nature and declared, “this” (God’s loving kindness) is where I choose to focus my mind and heart. Jeremiah could have become preoccupied with the destruction around him, but instead he focused on God’s nature.
The Lord’s Great love. This phrase has also been translated faithful love, steadfast love, gracious love, loyal kindness, never ceasing loving kindness. The loving kindness (NASB) or faithful love translates the Hebrew term, chesed, meaning a covenant, loyal love. The mercies translate the Hebrew term, racham, meaning compassion. Racham tells us that the love is deep; chesed tells us that the love is everlasting. So, Jeremiah placed His mind on the ever-abiding covenant love of God.
His never-ending mercies. How do we know that God’s mercies flow freely? Jeremiah responded in this way, “His mercies are new every single morning.” Wow! New every morning! His mercies and His compassion stand as brand new every single day. Jeremiah held to the hope of God’s care and sovereignty, and embraced this reality by faith with the dawning of each new day.
Within the Scriptures, there is a sacredness about the morning. The Psalmist cried, “in the morning Lord, will I make my prayer” (Psalm 5). Jesus set aside the early morning to be with His Heavenly Father. Morning can reflect expectation that is built upon the divine nature of the One being sought. Morning can also represent certainty. Therefore, new every morning signifies not only God’s perpetual mercies, but also the certainty of those mercies.
Because of such love and mercy flowing – even in the midst of unbelievable despair, Jeremiah cried out, “great is Thy faithfulness.” Jeremiah, at that moment, came face to face with the nature of God. His faith soared, and the burden of the moment faded. The problems? They were still around him. But faith in God had won!
Today, because of Jesus, your faith can look up to God. Do you see the full nature of God as revealed in Jesus Christ? Do you see His love and compassion? His mercies? If so, you know His faithful love that gives way to His endless mercies that are new to you every morning. Because of Jesus, we know that God’s grace super-abounds: “where sin abounded, grace increased (super abounded) all the more.” (Romans 5:20)
How vital it becomes to know God’s faithfulness, and to look to His unchanging character. So today, see yourHeavenly father. Look to Him. Allow His nature to determine your trust.
Augustine once said, “let the acts of the offspring resemble the Father.” May our faith be the reflection of our Heavenly Father revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Blessings,
Ken
