Thank God for His Mercy
“It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
The book of Lamentations was most likely penned by the prophet Jeremiah who was known as “the weeping prophet” because he was heartbroken over the sin of the people of Israel. He was called by God as a prophet at the age of 17 to warn Israel that judgment was coming upon them for their continual disobedience to God. He was forbidden to marry and have a family (Jeremiah 16:2) in order to devote his life to his mission, and he was willing to forego personal pleasures and goals in order to be God’s spokesman to Israel just before they went into captivity by the Babylonians.
To lament is to grieve or mourn for situations beyond our control. Jeremiah preached for 40 years with little success in reaching the people of Israel in order that they would be convicted, turn from their sin, and return to the LORD. After such a long time, anyone would be subject to depression and discouragement, and Jeremiah was no exception. I know that it is discouraging to me to see such blatant and outright blasphemy and ridicule of anything to do with God, the Bible, Jesus, and Christians in today’s media, among politicians, and among celebrities. I, too, grieve for our nation. There are things happening that in my wildest imagination I would never had thought would happen. I don’t have to list them. If you have been keeping up with the news, you are aware of things going on that do not make any sense at all. It’s as if some folks have lost their minds yet those who are spouting some of the craziest and ungodly notions act as if those who stand for truth and righteousness are the weirdos! For example, those who are pro-life are being called “racists”.
Truth has basically become obsolete as many say the truth is whatever one believes it is. As I study the Old Testament about Israel and her disobedience to the LORD, I can’t help but see a parallel between ancient Israel and America. Jeremiah and other prophets of God warned and warned and warned, yet the people refused to repent and turn back to God. They came under judgment just as God promised. If we here in America are traveling that same road, then judgment must not be far behind. There are some who are concerned and are crying out to warn us, but we need more folks to stand for truth openly and unashamedly. We might get ridiculed and called names, but there is only One whose opinion counts.
As Jeremiah wrote, it is only because of God’s mercy and compassion that He has not wiped us out. God is so patient with His creation, but one day His patience will end and judgment will come. However, every morning is given to us as a new day to make the most of opportunities we may have missed yesterday. Even if we failed yesterday, God has a new supply of mercy for us today because He is faithful. He definitely is the God of second chances.