"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23
How many times have I gone to bed at night thinking about my failures of the day? I can lie there, in the dark, and recount all of my missteps; replaying what I should have done differently. My mind will be filled with regret and guilt. I pray that my mistakes are not costing someone else a chance to have a relationship with Christ or that my wife or son will not be burdened by my decisions. Sometimes, it actually amazes me that God has allowed me to climb out of bed one more time.
But, that is the God we serve. He allows us to continue on, every day, still not consumed by His wrath. The way that I grew up learning this verse was with the phrase "His mercies are new every morning." Mercy may be the more accurate term here if we look at God who is a judge handing out penalties for the sins we commit. Mercy is the absence of what we deserve. Only a God who has the authority to judge can give this kind of mercy. But, I do like this translation that says God has compassion every single morning. This has the sound of a loving Father who sees the struggle of His child and has a broken heart and a willingness to reach out His hand to help!
What I really struggle with, is the idea that if God's mercy and/or compassion (pick whatever word you prefer or use them both) is new every morning, why do we find ourselves making mistakes that do not show our appreciation for His love? So, the question becomes, "Am I really grateful for this gift?" What does that gratefulness look like? If the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:28) and Jesus came to save us from that death, shouldn't we be living lives of following our Savior?
We all know that is the way it should be. However, we all also know that it is very difficult to overcome addictions, emotions, and every day temptations to sin. I very much believe that we can live holy lives, choosing not to sin in areas we know about and making changes in our lives when God makes new things known to us.
But, when sin creeps in and tries to tear us down, God's Word to us is so true. His compassions never fail and His mercies are new every morning. The last line of that verse says that God's faithfulness is great. We can relax and rest in this promise. God is faithful to give mercy and compassion every single day.
Do you want to be rid of guilt and shame? Do you want to get it right so much more than you get it wrong? Then, It. Is. Time.
Confess your sins, repent of them and walk away, believe that you are saved and that God is faithful!
Here is what I have experienced in my own life: When I live in a way that reflects that will of God, I am better able to deal with the storms that are going to affect every person on this earth, Christian or not. When I try to find happiness on my own apart from God's ways, I start to find many more negative consequences beating me down and I lose sight of that loving, compassionate Father whose heart breaks when I struggle.
When we sin against God, it's not just legal, it's relational. It's not that you just disobeyed the judge, it's that the judge is also your dad. And he loves you. He's heartbroken by your sin and rebellion.
So, friends, it is time.
It is time to break the chains of sin and be free to live your life in pursuit of Jesus.
It is time to stop letting the world tell you how to live and let the Word of God direct you.
It is time to be the example and witness to people God has placed in your life.
It is time.
"Stand firm, and you will win life." Luke 21:19
Pastor RJ
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
