"This I recall to mind, therefore have I hope. 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 3:21-23

From the pen of the weeping prophet we gain some insight into our own depressed estate when we begin to add up all the negative things surrounding us. Jeremiah is pouring out his complaints before God, reminding Him of the great trial that he, and his people, were going through (please read verse 1 to verse 20). In short, he is having a pity party, feeling sorry for himself.

The Faithfulness Of God

Uploaded: Feb. 04 2011

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Though he is a man, in our own estimation, that deserved to have one, we must realize these pity parties are sin, temper tantrums in the face of a loving Father who has done so much for us. Surely, we are depicted accurately in scripture as children.

In the midst of his party something came to his mind. He remembered something he had let slip from his memory, something he had been taught from his youth up. He remembered that our God is a merciful God, that his compassions never fail to his children, that they are new every morning, that our God is faithful!

This verse excites me, and has recently come to my heart with power. I realize that we should approach each morning with hope that new blessings are coming our way, fresh from the hand our loving heavenly Father. Every day, every morning, there is something good to expect from God. This should cause us to think upon our God all the more, and rejoice in him.

If you will read his dialogue you will find that Jeremiah's thought process goes from complaining to remembering. What caused Jeremiah to remember God‘s faithfulness? He remembered that he deserved nothing. He remembered his own personal sin, and the sin of his people. God had been faithful, they had been unfaithful.

Yes, the Lord's people can get to thinking that the Lord owes them something. They get to thinking more highly of themselves than they should. Though they can remember the sins of all around them, it is the propensity of all to forget their own unfaithfulness. Vanity is the mark of every man. As David wrote: "every man at his best state is altogether vanity." If you will, notice the superlatives: every man, not some men; at their best state, when they are doing their best; altogether, not somewhat! Surely, this is an humbling thought, especially for the self righteous. Anything less than hell is a blessing, for hell is what we really deserve when we compare ourselves to Christ who possessed all, and suffered the shame of the cross for sinners.

You have heard the saying, "What a difference a day makes!" We must remember that God's blessings are new every day, every morning. In just one day God can turn all things around. Today may be the day that the prodigal returns to his home; it may be the day that the wild Gadarene meets Jesus and is restored to his right mind; it may be the day that Joseph is crowned king over Egypt; it may be the day that a thief on a cross calls upon our Lord; it may be the day that a persecuting Saul is blinded on a Damascus road; it may be the day that Jesus speaks and calms your waves; brings your child home; restores your marriage; and gives you hope for better things. Yes, his mercies are new every morning, every day, every hour. We should approach every day with this promise.

So, how do you wake up each day? Do you wake up with apprehensions and fears? Do you approach each day with reservations, wondering what bad thing might come your way? Surely, this is not God honoring. We can approach the day wondering what the world might offer, or we can approach it with hopeful anticipation of good things from the hand of a loving Father. Let us recall this to mind and we, too, will have hope. "This I recall to mind, therefore have I hope. 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."

-NMP