Merciful God

Verse of the day: Lamentations 3:22-23 Through the Lord ’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

Our successes or failures, our faithfulness or lack thereof, do not change who God is or His love, mercy, and grace toward us. This was the hope that Jeremiah had in writing this. He was confident in respect to God keeping His Word, as God's people were suffering great discipline for their sin, and their turning away from their God. The LORD had warned them that punishment would come should they turn from Him, and as He promised, it came to pass. Jeremiah, seeing this come to pass, as the Babylonians killed, imprisoned, and oppressed God's people, knew that God was a God of His Word. Just as the LORD was faithful in keeping His promise to punish them, Jeremiah knew from personal experience that God would be faithful to rescue, and redeem His people. Jeremiah himself, at one point, had been thrown into a cistern (filled with its mire) that was used as a prison, but was eventually rescued by the Lord. He knew that if God's people would turn back to God from their sin (that was like this mire filled cistern), He would rescue them from their sin, and their captivity. God's compassion is His love in action. There is no sin that is greater than God's compassion, love, mercy, and grace. However, let us not be deceived. When we sin, and find ourselves in the midst of the consequences of that sin(s), we must be willing to come under God's discipline and learn what it is that He is trying to teach us (Heb 12:5-13). Far too often we take God's compassion for granted or as permission to continue in sin. However, just as God promised Israel that chastening would come with continued sin, so chastening, and severe consequences, will come when we refuse to turn from sin. How do we respond to God's chastening? God's desire is not to destroy us, but to make us more like our Savior. Jesus has already done what was needed to save us from Hell, and eternal condemnation. He has provided the ultimate Sacrifice to pay the price for our sins (1 Jn 2:2). God forbid that we should continue in our sinful ways as His children. Rather than complain, get upset with God, or blame someone else for our own actions and choices, we need to take responsibility, repent, and confess our sins (not as we see them, but as God sees them). In the process of doing this, we should reflect on what it is that God wants from us (humility, self-control, patience, holiness, righteousness, and complete dependence on God). Do not let people (regardless of who they are) or Satan convince you that God has forsaken you when you sin. Know that God promised NEVER to leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5-6). Praise be to God that in Christ (and because of His righteousness) we are acceptable to the Father, and we are not consumed, as we deserve; but instead God's mercy in our lives is given to turn us to repentance (Rm 2:4), and bring us back to where we belong, in sweet fellowship with Jesus. So, if today you are far from God because of some sin in your life, repent, confess, and let Him accomplish what He is trying to accomplish with whatever form of discipline He has chosen for you. Know this, that our God is compassionate, merciful, and His mercies are truly new each day. If you are still here, and He has not called you home, then turn back to God and take hold of the mercy and grace He is offering. Come back home, learn, and let Him make you more like our Savior; for our God is faithful.