I can't remember hearing any sermons or Bible studies on the book of Lamentations. Can you? It's a sad book where Jeremiah the prophet is "lamenting" over the destruction of Jerusalem, the once beautiful city of God. But in the midst of his sorrow come these wonderful verses of hope about God's love, compassion and faithfulness every day.
Some versions use the word "mercies" instead of compassions. The meaning of these words involves an outward manifestation of pity to someone who is unworthy of pity. It assumes need on the part of the one who receives it and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of the one who shows it. Isn't that a perfect picture of God and us? Our great need and His more than adequate resources to meet our need. We are not worthy of His mercy, but He gives it anyway, every day, so that we are not consumed. Why? Because of His great love for us.
Parenting a teenager has brought new meaning to this verse for me! I have a seventeen year old daughter who is a wonderful girl, but very much caught up in the teen attitude and actions. Of course, this often causes conflict and situations that must be dealt with. Sometimes I'm angry or frustrated with her at the end of the day, even though we've had the necessary discussions and handed out the plan of discipline. I've found myself waking up the next morning still nursing my anger, still going over in my mind all the many reasons I had for being upset. Then one day God brought this verse to mind. His mercies to me are new every morning. I realized my mercy, my compassion, was not always new each morning as it should be. With God's help, this is something I'm working on!
Thank you, Lord, for your great love for us. Thank you that because you are faithful, your mercies never fail, they are new every morning.
Becky
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