The Upper Room Daily Devotional from Nashville, Tennessee, United States “GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS” for Sunday, 14 August 2016 with Scripture: Lamentations 3:19 Remember my utter misery,the wormwood and the gall.
20 They are always on my mind;
this is why I am so depressed.
21 But in my mind I keep returning to something,
something that gives me hope —
22 that the grace of Adonai is not exhausted,
that his compassion has not ended.
23 [On the contrary,] they are new every morning!
How great your faithfulness!
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The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.[Lamentations 3:22-23 (NRSV)]
Sometimes I get discouraged by the responsibilities of work and family. I sometimes struggle to provide for my family. When I get discouraged, I often think of the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah spent his entire life in the service of God. He was called to prophesy the doom of Judah to a stubborn people who refused to listen and repent. It seemed a fruitless task that often brought Jeremiah verbal and physical abuse. (See Jer. 11:19.)
Toward the end of his long life, Jeremiah sat in the burning wreck of Jerusalem to reflect on his life and God’s judgment of Judah. He had every right to complain. Instead, he praised God’s faithfulness and mercies each and every morning! He rejected despair, even in the ruins of his city, and chose to place his hope in God. (See Jer. 42.) When I tend toward despair, I remember Jeremiah’s great faith — and every morning I rise in prayer, thankful for my Creator’s mercies and faithfulness!
The Author: Jim Weems (Mississippi, USA) — See p. 21.
Thought for the Day: Where have I seen God’s faithfulness today?
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the mercies you give every morning. When we despair, help us to turn to you. Amen.
Prayer focus: FAMILIES WITHOUT BASIC NECESSITIES
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