“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.
We need never be ashamed of grieving, for even Jesus wept (John 11:35) at the grave of Lazarus, and God will comfort those who mourn (Matthew 5:4).
Yet sometimes great grief threatens to swallow us, and it’s like being caught in a quicksand the devil has prepared. This is when reflecting upon God’s kindness in the past can bring renewed hope for the future.
Likewise, it was a difficult day for my wife & I when we had to sell our wedding rings in order to pay for car insurance, but it had to be done; the weather became cold, and snowy, but we were at the end of our deadline.
Yet in spite of the crumby weather, we decided to stop at a nearby store before going home, and found there a 20 pound bag of rice in a box of free items; which seemed like a kindness given from our merciful God! In light of this emotional trial, we could’ve easily been caught up in grief over losing our rings, but there were other good things happening besides getting free rice; it was a mercy just having the ability to pay our insurance, and even in having a car that we’d previously gone 54 weeks without. And yes, the Lord did eventually provide us with new rings, at a modest cost.
Scripture directs Christians toward gratitude, saying in 1 Thessalonians 5:18; “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Yet as hard as we may try doing this, many typical daily blessings are often still taken for granted; like the cars we drive, the food we eat, good health, and family ties. One purpose for hardship might be to remind us of the blessings we’ve long enjoyed!
We can also read this in James 2:5;
“Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”
To not be rich in material goods will build faith in God to provide what we need apart from what we can see (Hebrews 11:1-3), and helps us to keep priorities straight; wedding rings are precious, but they won’t feed us, or drive us to work.
The Bible declared that covetousness and unthankfulness (2 Timothy 3:2) would be character traits of mankind in these Last Days that we should try to avoid; like the man I saw in a video who tried suing the paramedic who saved his life, because she’d ruined his $200 shirt! People’s values often have misplaced priorities today, but Christian lives should reflect what GOD values.
Jeremiah is the prophet God used in our opening scripture; this passage being indirectly behind the hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness, which reminds us that God’s mercies are indeed new every morning; what Jeremiah learned well. In Lamentations 3, the prophet tells of the great suffering he had under persecution; but then he realizes that he’s still alive to tell the tale! God had said they would fight against him, but not prevail, and His Word held true;
“For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.” -Jeremiah 1:18,19.
Brethren, when we’re feeling low, the devil earnestly desires to keep us in that state (Luke 22:31,32); but God is saying we need to commit all things to Him with thanksgiving, and He’ll then minister to us by a great peace we can in no way understand (Philippians 4:6,7); then after this we’ll use the memory of good things as a salve for restoring our souls.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” -1 Peter 5:8.
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:6,7.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
And with this goodness of God in mind, let us rest contentedly in Him; being sure that the God who gave Jesus to save us will now with Him provide everything we truly need according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).
“11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” -Philippians 4:11-13.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33.
I also did a short YouTube video on this topic. You can find it at https://youtube.com/shorts/338UMRM_FUs?feature=share
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