Verse of the Day – His Steadfast Love Never Ceases
Seeking God in Suffering – New Mercies Every Morning
New Mercies Every Morning
DAY 15 | Lamentations 3:19-26
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning. . . . —Lamentations 3:22-23
Lamentations is not lighthearted reading; it’s a collection of desperate cries from the bottom of a pit. The author laments the suffering of God’s people during their time of captivity, which left them trapped in misery for years.
But in the middle of the book, a glimmering light shines through the darkness, as the weeping writer lifts his head and proclaims hope in the God of love and compassion. We witness the progression from a downcast, bitter soul (verse 20) to an upright, resolute warrior refusing to be consumed by the troubles of life (verse 22).
The rallying cry of confidence is that God will ultimately save his people.
This passage is a favorite of my Aunt Ruth, who has become increasingly paralyzed over the past 45 years from a debilitating disease. For months at a time, she was unable to speak because of tracheal stenosis, and she has endured more than 30 surgeries. In those quiet seasons, she would still whisper to her soul, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him” (verse 24).
Aunt Ruth is one who knows that problems don’t disappear overnight, yet she testifies that God’s mercies to her are new every morning. We too can find God’s blessings in big and small ways each day if we make a point of looking for them. Great is God’s faithfulness.
Lord, we often allow the darkness of night to overshadow our daytime. Shine the light of your love on us each day so that we can see your blessings. Amen.
//Reframe Ministries//
The Bible in a Year – Day 253 – Lamentations of Jeremiah
As Fr. Mike begins the book of Lamentations, we read about Jeremiah’s sorrow as he witnesses the siege and suffering of Jerusalem. In the book of Jeremiah, we hear a word of comfort from the Lord to Baruch. Today’s readings are Jeremiah 45-46, Lamentations 1, and Proverbs 17:21-28.
Click on link: https://youtu.be/SDKW8fEUP44
The Bible in a Year – Day 254 – Judgment of Nations
Fr. Mike continues reading from the book of Jeremiah and emphasizes God’s judgment against the nations surrounding Israel. Fr. Mike also invites us to meditate on the words of the prophets and repent for our own failures and shortcomings. Today’s readings are Jeremiah 47-48, Lamentations 2, and Proverbs 18:1-4.
Click on link: https://youtu.be/AHlUaRhb2Mc
The Bible in a Year – Day 255 – God is Good
Fr. Mike guides us through another chapter of Jeremiah and connects it to the sorrow and pain we hear in Lamentations. He reminds us that, even with such evil and desperation filing the world, God is still good, and we still have reason to hope in him. Today’s readings are Jeremiah 51, Lamentations 4-5, and Proverbs 18:9-12.
Click on link: https://youtu.be/YcRFYaWZS7I
The Bible in a Year – Day 256 – Hard Seasons
Fr. Mike encourages us to never stop talking to God, even in the hardest seasons of our lives. Much like yesterday’s readings, we’re seeing a lot of pain and suffering the lives of our brothers and sisters, but we still have so much to hope for. Today’s readings are Jeremiah 51, Lamentations 4-5, and Proverbs 18:9-12.
Click on link: https://youtu.be/qZ_Bi8I-VXA