God’s mercies are new every morning

‘Because of God’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 

These wonderful verses come in the very centre of the book of Lamentations, one of the most tragic books in the Bible.  It was written probably by Jeremiah following the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC.  It starts with

How deserted lies the city once so full of people

How like a widow is she who was once great amongst the nations
She who was queen amongst the provinces
Has now become a slave                                             Lamentations 1:1

Jerusalem the beautiful city with the awesome temple built by Solomon lay in ruins.  Her people had been taken into exile and the land was deserted.  The king, princes, priests, prophets, elders and commoners had all been taken away to Babylon.

The nation of Israel enjoyed its heyday in Solomon’s time.  ‘King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart’ (I Kings 10: 23 – 24). 

The reign of King Solomon was both the high point and turning point of the nation of Israel.  Despite being so fabulously rich and wiser than any other man, Solomon turned away from God, married many women and had hundreds of concubines against God’s instructions and they turned his heart away from the Lord. Despite some temporary reprieves during the reign of some of the later kings, it was a downhill slide for the nation into idolatry and disobedience and finally God brought the judgement that he had promised onto his beloved people.

This was not a violent outburst by an angry God but the inevitable consequence of a disobedient and wilful people who refused to stop sinning and had turned their back on God. He had such great plans for his people but their relentless desire for independence had ended not in triumph over their enemies and blessing but in defeat and exile. 

The prophet agonises over the land and the terrible things that have befallen it but here in the centre of his lament he reminds himself of God’s amazing love and compassion which never fails.  Despite all that had happened, God’s mercies are new every morning because of God’s faithfulness.  He encourages himself to wait for the goodness of the Lord.

If Jeremiah could find hope in God's love in the midst of this national disaster, we too can find hope in the midst of our difficulties. You may have been struggling through some difficult times when it feels like God has forgotten you.  Your prayers seem to be hitting a brass ceiling.  You feel deserted and alone; no one understands.  Remember God’s love and compassion.  He never leaves or forsakes you.  He is there.  His mercies are new for you this morning. Wait for him and he will answer and turn your situation around. 

Lord God, thank you I am not alone. You have not abandoned me nor have you turned your back on me. I do not have to depend on yesterday’s mercies because there are fresh mercies from you for this day because of your faithfulness.  Lord I trust you with my life and circumstances and I wait for your answers. In Jesus name, Amen.