“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness! The Lord is my portion, says my soul. Therefore I will hope in Him.” Taken from the book of Lamentations, this passage has been sung for years and years. So during the next couple of weeks I hope you’ll enjoy a look at this passage from a different lens, and a special thanks to the Gospel Advocate for motivating my thoughts as we consider what’s ‘new every morning!’
“This morning we woke up to a dark and cloudy sky. The much anticipated warm sunshine was replaced by a cool, gray hue that reminds us of the changing seasons. The rain last night soaked our parched ground for which we are thankful. The storms have passed, but a cool darkness remains. Many would prefer sunshine to gloom, but it’s fine with me that fall has come and with it stormy weather. God’s creation is diverse and is cherished among His people. We take each new day for what it is, sunshine or rain, warm or cold, each new day is a gift from God. As Christians wake each morning, we experience a gift from God and the promise that comes with the new day. Each moment, as the sky brightens, we instinctively know the darkness will lose to a brighter sun. We will have a new day, a fresh start, another chance and a new beginning.
A Christian’s biggest worry is rarely the weather. Christians must be true to God’s Word, but that can be difficult when they feel caught up in an emotional or spiritual storm. Sometimes a season of dreariness can slowly weaken the Christian’s resolve, leaving him to wonder how he will make it through another day. Jeremiah is an excellent example of how a man who was strong in faith, yet who struggled with weakness. A prophet of God, Jeremiah prayed for the people of Judah (14:7), and yet lashed out against the sin of his countrymen (44:23). In the midst of his lamentation, Jeremiah recognized their need and came offering hope to a desperate nation. It was a period of storm and stress as the doom of entire nations, including Judah, was being sealed. In his sorrow Jeremiah laments, “My strength has perished, and so has my hope from the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:18) A man of God who has warned his people of the impending storm is now struggling with the darkness (3:6). Yet in his sorrow and weeping, Jeremiah turns his heart and mind back to God. The sun will shine again and the darkness of the storm will pass. Jeremiah reminds us of the mercy of the Lord, and admonishes God’s people to hold fast to this hope. As he encourages the Israelite nation, Jeremiah continues in the 22nd verse, “The Lord’s loving-kindness indeed never ceases, for His compassions never fail.” With that promise we take courage, fully understanding that regardless of the storms, we have hope. God is faithful to His people, to those who follow and obey His word. Jeremiah continued, “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.” (3:25) It may be hard to wait for and to seek God when the storm rages, but the promise of God’s goodness should always give us strength. Children of God must recognize, cherish and hold fast to God’s loving-kindness.
Since the 1970’s, young Christian people across this nation have sung the words of Jeremiah found in Lamentations chapter 3. Many know this passage by heart, but few know it in context. And so we sing… “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness! ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul. ‘Therefore I will hope in Him.’ ” But how can we see God’s compassion when darkness veils our sight? Some believe His compassion has ceased when nothing but storm clouds cover their heads. How could a compassionate God allow destruction and sorrow? Does Jesus even care? There may be over-cast skies and stormy weather today, but remember there is always hope for tomorrow. And with that steadfast hope, there is a promise of sunshine. Jeremiah continues to speak about God’s never failing compassion, “…they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” With the passing of night, comes the dawning of a new day. The compassion of our God never fails His people. As the new day dawns upon this tired, old earth, so our God is faithful to rain down compassion upon His children.”
We’ll continue this thought in a week or two…but until then, listen to this arrangement by an acapella group known as Blacappella. They combine the text of Lamentations 3 with the sentiments of Paul in Philippians 2. “We place You on the highest place…”
But how can we see God’s compassion when darkness veils our sight? Some believe His compassion has ceased when nothing but storm clouds cover their heads. How could a compassionate God allow destruction and sorrow? Does Jesus even care? There may be over-cast skies and stormy weather today, but remember there is always hope for tomorrow. And with that steadfast hope, there is a promise of sunshine. Jeremiah continues to speak about God’s never failing compassion, “…they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” With the passing of night, comes the dawning of a new day. The compassion of our God never fails His people. As the new day dawns upon this tired, old earth, so our God is faithful to rain down compassion upon His children.”