a devotional response to Lamentations 3
This chapter appears like a spring in the desert, bubbling forth hope in the middle of judgment and sorrow.
Lamentations 3: 22 It is of the Lord‘s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Israel is obliterated. Children are dead. The people who live are in captivity. The prophet is in despair.
Yet, on this war-torn land the sun once again rises. With the morning comes a glimpse of hope, a realization – God’s compassion does NOT fail. Even when we turn from His love to wallow in the refuse of sin and self there is a way back, for HE is faithful. His mercies are new every morning. His light shines on the path that leads to His heart – wait on Him; seek Him.
God’s path has not changed. Even though we like children run off His path, distracted by selfishness and diverted by the pull of our own desires, He calls us to come back to His way – the way of relationship and joy. When we cry to Him, His arm reaches and lifts us back to the path. HE is faithful!
The detritus of sin and rebellion is all around us. We walk among overthrown lives and wrecked homes in a broken world.
Only God’s path is safe.
Only His word is true.
Only His way leads us home.
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Listen Here
Great Is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father!
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Though changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Refrain:
Great Is Thy faithfulness,
Great Is Thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
Pardon for Sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
–Thomas Chisholm, 1925
GraceSpeak 