One of my very favorite verses...and here's the incredible thing: it's smack dab in the middle of the book of Lamentations. Yes, Lamentations--as in the book written by Jeremiah, "the weeping prophet," to lament the destruction of the Jews' beloved city and capital of Jerusalem as well as his people's tragic exile. Yet in the midst of the sorrow, the destruction, the seeming hopelessness is this powerful word of hope...because of God's forever faithfulness and endless mercy.
That's the Lord we serve. He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve. (Ps.103:10) He's rich in mercy, and because of His great love for us, "even when we were dead in our sins, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." (Eph.2:4-7)
Like the sun daily rising over the mountains, like the promise of the rainbow after the rain, He is faithful, glorious and trustworthy. Always.
Yes, the world is a crazy, often dark place these days...but in the midst of our lamentations, we may, we must rejoice that our Heavenly Father's steadfast love never ceases, His mercies never end--for they are brand new every single morning--and His faithfulness is great beyond all imagining.
When we start to fret over all our mistakes from yesterday, we grow discouraged and defeated. And when we start worrying over all the challenges and difficulties ahead of us tomorrow, fear, anxiety and even dread can overwhelm us. But yesterday's gone. Done. Put it behind you. And tomorrow's not here yet. Entrust the unknowable and uncontrollable future to the One who holds that future.
Instead, let's focus on today. Trust God for today's challenges and needs. Thank God for today's blessings and gifts. Ask God for today's strength and empowering grace. Pray today. Love today. Rejoice today. Read His Word today. Trust today.
In the words of the South African pastor, Andrew Murray: "A day, just one day only, but still a day, given to abide and grow up in Jesus Christ. Whether it be a day of health or sickness, joy or sorrow, rest or work, of struggle or victory, let the chief thought with which you receive it in the morning thanksgiving be this: A day that the Father gave; in it I may, I must, become more closely united to Jesus. As the Father says, 'Can you trust Me just for this one day?' you cannot but give the joyful response, 'I will trust and not be afraid.'"
Yes, Lord, yes. Thank You for Your steadfast love, endless mercies, and perfect faithfulness...we trust You for and in this day, Today. To God be the glory.
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