God's Mercies Are New Every Day

Asaph’s Problem in Psalm 73 was taken from the glory days of Israel. He had a real philiosophical problem with how God could bless the ungodly with material riches.

Jeremiah, who lived through the dark days of the seige of Jerusalem had a quite different reason for calling on God.

Read Lam 3:1-16 to get an overview of Jeremiah’s third lamentation. Even his teeth were worn by the gravel in his food.

But this book discloses the love of God for His people even though He sent them into captivity as punishment for their grievous sins. See Jeremiah’s three lamentations.

Lamentations 3:21-26

Lamentations 3:21–26 KJV 1900

21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.

God’s Promise to His people:

These promises are connected to His commandments.

“If you keep. . .”

“if you reverence. . . “

“If you walk . . .”

Leviticus 26:2–4 KJV 1900

2 Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord. 3 If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; 4 Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

“He will show. . .”

“It might go well . . .”

Deuteronomy 5:10 KJV 1900

10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

Deuteronomy 5:29 KJV 1900

29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

Even today’s parents must teach their children to make correct decisions by punishment. Hebrews 12, following the Faith chapter talks about our resisting but not unto death.

Hebrews 12:5 ESV

5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.

Hebrews 12:6 ESV

6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

Our punishment in the flesh may not be nearly as bad as was that of Israel. Or is it?

Israel failed to keep His sabbaths and His commandments.

Israel failed to walk in His Statutes.

However, throughout His punishment, God did not fail His people!

Matthew 23:37 KJV 1900

37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Something we should always keep in mind: His mercy endures forever! His faithfulness does not fail

Lamentations 3:22

Lamentations 3:22 ESV

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;

Faith, Love, Hope, Grace, and Mercy are of God. God asks us to believe and he enables us to believe.

Lam 3:23

Lamentations 3:23 ESV

23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

His Holy Spirit is with all who have been born again. John 14:15-31

John 14:15–31 ESV

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me. 25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.

Although God’s mercies never end, we must not be like (ILLUSTRATON) the boy and his sister who was building sand castles

Repentance means a change or course.

1 Thes 1:9

1 Thessalonians 1:9 KJV 1900

9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

God never abandons His children.

God did not forget Joseph in the pit, in Potiphar’s house, in prison.

Great is Thy Faithfulness, Oh Lord, unto me!

Lamentations 3:21–26 ESV

21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will 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 wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

How could we not want to draw closer to Him?

How could we not commit to be what He wants?

How could we not do what he wants us to do?