“The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24

The Hebrew word “lamentation” means “groaning.” Ever been there? Even in the midst of a book titled Lamentations, we find the bright ray of hope. In the midst of His complaint Jeremiah realizes something: The very fact that the nation wasn’t completely and utterly destroyed gave proof to God’s power, love and mercy. From there He could begin to build hope again. Sometimes in our despair, we think there is no hope. However, it is just this place where we often get a revelation of just how merciful and loving God is. Our flesh is screaming that if God loved us, He wouldn’t let us go through whatever we are going through, but when we get quiet enough the Spirit reminds us of God’s true character.

So often I have looked to the mercies of a new day. It almost seems as if God is saying, “You can’t live in the past and tomorrow isn’t here yet. You have today and I supply enough grace and mercy to see you through today.” Perhaps a big part of our problem is trying to run too many days on last week’s mercy. I feel especially sorry for those who don’t know – or don’t think – they need mercy – they miss an abundant supply of life’s daily provision and suffer accordingly.

The older I get the less I want what I deserve and the more I want mercy.

Jesus, help me to be constantly aware of my need for mercy and grace. Help me to know that I can “come boldly to the throne of grace that I may obtain mercy and find grace to help in a time of need.” Thanks, Jesus. (Hebrews 4:16)