TEXTS AND APPLICATION: We sing the song, but I’m not so sure we understand the depth of the words. “Great is thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see . . . .” Our sanctuaries echo with the lyrics, but I’m unconvinced that our hearts resound with the truths.
These words in Lamentations form the apex of the book, the crescendo of poems in the heart of the book. These words are almost surprising, coming at the end of stanzas filled with verses lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians in 587 B.C. Jerusalem had sinned grievously against God (Lam. 1:8), and the Lord’s anger resounded against them. In fact, His anger and judgment are mentioned dozens of times in the first ten verses of Lamentations 2.
It’s then that we are almost surprised by the turn in Lamentations 3:
Lam. 3:22-23 Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!
God is faithful to His people, even when they have not been faithful to Him. His love is constant — indeed, He judges because He loves — and His mercies have no end. Every day is a new opportunity to love Him, serve Him, and to live in His grace. Like God’s giving manna to His people on a daily basis, He extends His faithful, steadfast love to us every day.
He is the gracious God of new beginnings, the loyal Creator who shows compassion to repentant rebels. Every day He grants us mercy. Surely we cannot just sing the words, “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” as if they were simply a song. They are a testimony to the grace of our God — the God who calls us back to Him this morning.
PRAYER: “God, what can I say except, ‘Thank You’? Thank You for today’s mercies. Thank You for Your undying love. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank you, Lord.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Lamentations 3:37-5:22