Lamentations 3:22, 23
The mercy of the Lord is a beautiful thing. His mercy ensures us that we will not get what our actions certainly deserve. Jeremiah, the author of Lamentations states that it is only due to the mercy of the Lord that we are not consumed. The writer of Hebrews tells us that our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29), and John the Baptist told us that Jesus would burn the chaff with unquenchable fire (Luke 3:17), so God surely holds the power to get rid of us. Why then, does God show mercy?
The end of verse 22 gives us both the answer to our question, and insight into the heartbeat of God, “because his compassions fail not”. God shows mercy because He is compassionate. He loves mankind so much that He holds back the flood waters of judgment, just so man can have another opportunity to turn to Him.
Christ’s death on the cross took the brunt of God’s fury against sin. Now, all who will accept Christ are free from that wrath. God delays sending Jesus back to get His church so that one more sinner might come home. For the one who will leave the 99 sheep in the fold to go and find the one, this is precisely within character.
Jeremiah goes on to explain that God’s compassions are not just feelings, but rather they are tangible things. He tells us that they are “new every morning” (verse 23). All good gifts come from the Father above (James 1:17), so we can view even the smallest blessing in our life as “His compassions”. Just like the manna in the wilderness for the Old Testament saints, Christ is the manna for the believer. He is pure white and tastes like honey (Exodus 16:31), and you will never be left wanting when you trust Him as your redeemer. Every day He is there with a fresh supply of goodness and mercy for you, requiring only that you take from Him.
How can we possibly pay the Lord back for this wonderful mercy, grace and goodness? Some say that you should witness to pay Him back, bringing souls into the kingdom. Witnessing for the Lord is great, but you could win everyone that you ever meet until you die and you could never pay the Lord back for His grace. Others tell you to give, and you could give until you have nothing else, and God still has the streets of heaven paved in gold, with or without your money. Actually, anything that you get by payment is achieved by your own works, and salvation is free. Is there a way to pay Him for His wonderful mercies, new every morning?
David asked the same question, “What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12). Those benefits could be called the compassions of the Lord that are new every morning, given by a God who is faithful to do so (Lamentations 3:23). David answers his own question with, “I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord” (Psalm 116:13). He learns that the only way to pay God back is to take more of God’s goodness. You and I are pleasing to the Lord when we feast at the table of God’s mercy and compassion.
Recognize the faithfulness of the Father all around you today and feast on the manna from heaven, because it is new every morning. Go in Him!
The mercy of the Lord is a beautiful thing. His mercy ensures us that we will not get what our actions certainly deserve. Jeremiah, the author of Lamentations states that it is only due to the mercy of the Lord that we are not consumed. The writer of Hebrews tells us that our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29), and John the Baptist told us that Jesus would burn the chaff with unquenchable fire (Luke 3:17), so God surely holds the power to get rid of us. Why then, does God show mercy?
The end of verse 22 gives us both the answer to our question, and insight into the heartbeat of God, “because his compassions fail not”. God shows mercy because He is compassionate. He loves mankind so much that He holds back the flood waters of judgment, just so man can have another opportunity to turn to Him.
Christ’s death on the cross took the brunt of God’s fury against sin. Now, all who will accept Christ are free from that wrath. God delays sending Jesus back to get His church so that one more sinner might come home. For the one who will leave the 99 sheep in the fold to go and find the one, this is precisely within character.
Jeremiah goes on to explain that God’s compassions are not just feelings, but rather they are tangible things. He tells us that they are “new every morning” (verse 23). All good gifts come from the Father above (James 1:17), so we can view even the smallest blessing in our life as “His compassions”. Just like the manna in the wilderness for the Old Testament saints, Christ is the manna for the believer. He is pure white and tastes like honey (Exodus 16:31), and you will never be left wanting when you trust Him as your redeemer. Every day He is there with a fresh supply of goodness and mercy for you, requiring only that you take from Him.
How can we possibly pay the Lord back for this wonderful mercy, grace and goodness? Some say that you should witness to pay Him back, bringing souls into the kingdom. Witnessing for the Lord is great, but you could win everyone that you ever meet until you die and you could never pay the Lord back for His grace. Others tell you to give, and you could give until you have nothing else, and God still has the streets of heaven paved in gold, with or without your money. Actually, anything that you get by payment is achieved by your own works, and salvation is free. Is there a way to pay Him for His wonderful mercies, new every morning?
David asked the same question, “What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12). Those benefits could be called the compassions of the Lord that are new every morning, given by a God who is faithful to do so (Lamentations 3:23). David answers his own question with, “I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord” (Psalm 116:13). He learns that the only way to pay God back is to take more of God’s goodness. You and I are pleasing to the Lord when we feast at the table of God’s mercy and compassion.
Recognize the faithfulness of the Father all around you today and feast on the manna from heaven, because it is new every morning. Go in Him!
