“Thy (the Lord’s mercies) are new every morning.” Lamentations 3:23
Dear Ones:
The context of Jeremiah’s book of Lamentations is that of judgement, suffering, and sorrow. And yet, there arises out of that very dark period and experience in the life of the prophet the declaration of hope. It is the hope and expectation of the goodness of God to be revealed. Jeremiah would write: “‘The Lord IS my portion,’ saith my soul; therefore I will hope in Him.’ The Lord is GOOD to them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him.” (Lam. 3:24-25) The believer who is truly rightly related to God, even though in the midst of dark and “hopeless” circumstances, can look up at his portion, the Lord, to receive from Him His boundless mercies, which are NEW every morning. What a wonderful thought, that every morning is a new beginning with respect to the freshness, and the fathomless blessing of the “mercies of God.” “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Ps. 30:5) How is this possible? First of all, it is possible because God made the day and the night, so we would see and understand that there IS the possibility of the new beginning…every morning. Secondly, there is the revelation of the Eternal, unchanging, gracious God, who “…neither slumbers nor sleeps.” (Ps. 121:4) And thirdly, there is the unveiling of God who IS merciful, and will hear the cry of the heart. All of His dealings with us are out of mercy, and to the one who truly understands this, He will BE their portion, their hope and help. His mercies are NEW every morning. But what of sins and failures in the present day? And what of their wounding and devastating effect on those around us?
Again, we are brought back to the issue of looking through the darkness and confusion, to Him who is seated upon His throne, never changing, and always “waiting to be wanted.” The One who ever lives to make intercession for us, who knows our every need before we even mention it, is that One who is perfectly merciful in the impossible situation, to deal with the present, so that on the morrow, there might be that new beginning. In the case of Malchus, (John 18:10, Luke 22:51), whose ear Peter cut off with a sword, just before Jesus was apprehended before His trial, we find that there was NO remedy, from a human standpoint. But then, Jesus touched his ear, and healed him. Only God can do this, and only the Lord Jesus can be the true remedy for that which is humanly impossible. This issue of a remedy in a certain situation may have its application in a relationship with someone. For example, the Bible says, “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” (Eph. 4:26) What if, because of one’s wrath, something was said, or done, to another person which was like cutting off of the ear, something that could not be remedied by one’s own self and resources. It is then well to remember that there is ONE who can heal the ear, and it is Christ. Why? Because He is the Custodian of His “mercies” which are new, always new. It is as our hope and expectation is in Christ wholly and alone, that the newness of the relationship can be restored. But, practically, what are we to do? Jesus is very clear on this matter, “If you remember that your brother has anything against you; leave your gift (in worship to God), and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matt. 5:23,24) There is the practical step of humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God, first in confessing our sins, faults, and failures to Him, but then, being going and being reconciled to our brother. Both acts are essential.
Dear Father, let us never forget that, because of Your unchanging nature, your mercies are ALWAYS new. You are always willing and ready to forgive, cleanse, and to heal. Give us grace to go to be reconciled to Thee, and then to go to our brother in order to be reconciled with him, believing in Your mercies to bring cleansing and healing. We thank and praise Thee for Your most wonderful remedy for our helplessness, this remedy of hope and certainty that “joy (truly) comes in the morning.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad