“The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22-23).
Have you ever read the book of Lamentations? The title itself may seem a bit depressing, but truth is we all go through days and circumstances which cause us great pain and suffering. It is during such times that we need to know that God’s compassions are new every morning.
Israel’s sorrows had been caused by her own disobedience. The depth of Israel’s sorrow was such that God seemed like an enemy to His own people (2:5). Have you ever struggled with despair and discouragement? If you read the first part of chapter 3, you may be able to identify with Jeremiah the prophet. He speaks of his bitterness and fear. So great is his sorrow that he feels as if his soul has been rejected from peace, he has forgotten happiness; his strength has perished (2:17-18).
The mood of the prophet begins to change when he turns to the Lord in prayer and remembers the good things of the Lord. He focuses on God’s “lovingkindness” which refers to His faithfulness to His covenant. He declares that they never cease and His compassion for His people never fail. He affirms that they are new every morning and cries out in relief—“great is Your faithfulness.” It is this absolute conviction about the nature of God that gives him hope.
If you need a new sense of hope and direction for the New Year, turn to the Lord whose compassions are new every morning.
Prayer: Thank you for your lovingkindness and your compassion. Amen