New Mercies…New Beginnings by Laura

But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:21-22).

At the beginning of a new year – a new decade, I have been so aware of new mercies. Divine favor from our merciful LORD never ceases to amaze and encourage me. Reading the prophet Jeremiah has opened my heart to the deep meaning of his words in Lamentations 3. The book of Jeremiah is filled with extreme messages he delivers from the LORD to His people. The Old Testament prophets spoke for the LORD to the people of Israel and in Jeremiah’s case, these messages brought dire consequences.

In the first 20 verses of Lamentations 3, he is recounting trials, tests and afflictions he has experienced because of His prophetic messages. We read in verse 20, “My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me.” Then we come to verse 21 and a wonderful word in scripture…”But”. This change of direction reveals Jeremiah’s mental decision to remember something that gives Him hope even in the midst of his drastic situation. It is the steadfast love of Yahweh. The “chesed” (Hebrew word) of the covenant keeping God. This steadfast love is loyal love. This steadfast love is eternal and brings new mercies every morning from our faithful Father. Experiencing this love gives us hope in the midst of anything we may encounter in the new year.

My guess is that most of us have not endured anything near the kinds of experiences Jeremiah endured due to our speaking the truth of God’s Word. However, we are not without tests and trials in this life. You may be in a place of discouragement. You may feel as if your soul is bowed down within you. You may feel hopeless. You may have never known the “chesed” love of God. Hear God speaking through Jeremiah to remind you that there is hope in His great love. God demonstrated this great love by sending Jesus to die on the cross, shedding His perfect blood to forgive your sin. Cry out to Him today for His new mercies. Call to mind His steadfast love and experience a new beginning in 2020!!