Verse of the Day 3/13

Verse of the Day 3/13

Lamentations 3:22-23. New International Version

22 Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,

    for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

The other day we considered God's great love for us in Daniel 9:23 along with the song "Count Your Many Blessings".  When you do so it may truly surprise you what the Lord has done.  Yesterday we considered Ephesians 5:20 where we are called to "always give thanks to the Father" and how we are to have "grateful hearts like a magnet ... collecting reasons for gratitude.

In the closing of our Pastor's sermon this morning he suggested that we take a walk and be "aware of the Lord's presence".  Here in North Carolina, if you were to do so you would see sunshine, blue skies, daffodils popping, pear treason blossoming, hear birds singing while feeling the cool crisp air on your face, all reasons to praise and give thanks.

Today's verses bring all of those thoughts together, at least for me.  Things in the world around us aren't any different than they were yesterday (except the weather) but our awareness of His presence changes our outlook, helping us to realize that God has "great love for us" and that is mercies, His compassions are there every day whether we see, feel, acknowledge it or not.   His is a steadfast, loyal love that is there faithfully each day.  

Daniel knew about trials, can you imagine being thrown into a lion's den and still awakening to a new morning and giving glory to God for it.  Jeremiah wrote Lamentations, 5 chapters of lament for the situation he and the nation found themselves in, yet in the midst of it, his heart was like a magnet, realizing God's great love for him even in troubled times.

The verses are the basis for one of my favorite hymns, which adds "pardon for sin and a peace that endureth" to the things that are picked up by our spiritual magnets.

1	"Great is Thy faithfulness," O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
	"Great is Thy faithfulness!" "Great is Thy faithfulness!"   Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—     "Great is Thy faithfulness," Lord, unto me!
2	Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above, Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
3	Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

If you have the chance, go for a walk.  Feel His presence, praise Him for His faithfulness, His mercies and His steadfast, loyal love.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Lamentations 3:19-26

New King James Version

19 Remember my affliction and roaming,
The wormwood and the [a]gall.
20 My soul still remembers
And sinks within me.
21 This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.

22 Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
24 "The Lord is my portion," says my soul,
"Therefore I hope in Him!"

25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the Lord.