“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
Dear Ones:
There is a constant theme throughout the Bible concerning the littleness of man, even his helplessness. He is compared to the grass and flower of the field. Even David, in speaking of himself in relation to God, declares himself to be a sheep. Jesus says the same thing about those that belong to Him. They are His sheep. Why is it so very important to understand our “littleness” and the wonder of God’s greatness, revealed to us by His mercies and compassions? The answer has to do with limits…limits on our ability to truly understand and grasp the eternal, and the enormity of the issues of life. But also, our inability, or limitations, to meet the daily needs to glorify our Creator, and to follow our Redeemer, thus fulfilling our purpose in life. What then is the answer to such a dilemma, and situation? The beginning of the answer is revealed to us “in the morning.” What is meant by this simple answer?
In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord Jesus, in speaking of prayer, said that we are to pray for “daily bread.” (Matt. 6:11) He specifically said, “Give us THIS DAY our daily bread.” Why did He say this? First of all, it is because this bread, both physical and spiritual, is a gift and provision of God, and must be sought from Him. Secondly, like the manna of old, there is enough, and more than enough, for the daily portion. Since we are creatures of time and space, there are limits to what we need, and also, of the provision for that need. The Lord Jesus, again speaking to this issue of time, said: “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matt. 6:34) The period of a day is God’s provision of time, that, in the context of where we live, a sinful world, He might meet us wonderfully, and sufficiently. This He will do because He is merciful and compassionate, giving to us according to His word, His manna to us every morning. Do we truly believe this? Is God able to meet us THIS DAY, this morning? Jeremiah, in facing the terrible, and overwhelming, fact of God’s judgment upon Jerusalem, turned his gaze upward and would write: “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.” (Lam. 3:22) What is this hope, so certain and wonderful? “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are NEW every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.” When men face all that is in the world, with regard to the fallenness of man, then look at their own needs, it is too overwhelming…UNTIL…the gaze is upward to Him who has placed us here. Hope is born in the heart because of the vision of the “mercies” and “compassions” of God. Why? Not only are His mercies and compassions greater than all the need we see, both without and within, but God is faithful to meet the needs of those who truly wait upon Him. As the dawn of a new day announces a new beginning, so the coming of the abundant mercies and compassions of God. They are received by faith, even as the manna from heaven was received and partaken of. That manna was fresh, new, possessing all the qualities contributing to strength, health, and life. But it had to be partaken of by faith, if it was to be beneficial to the believer. And so it is today. The mercies, compassions, and the faithfulness of God, must be believed in, received by faith, if the believer is to benefit from the blessing of a new and fresh beginning.
Dear Father, Grant us the thorough cleansing of our hearts, minds, and souls, this morning, by the precious blood of Christ. Then restore, revive, and refresh our souls, by Thy everlasting “new and fresh” Holy Spirit. Grant us Thy mercies and compassions this morning. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad