(Lam 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.
Look how Jeremiah was praising God for His mercies, compassions, and faithfulness. And this despite Israel’s failure as a nation to worship and honor their God. Aren’t we glad for the same mercy, compassion, and faithfulness available for us today? What would we do without the Lord? How merciful He has been in forgiving us our sins and always giving us another chance. How compassionate and understanding He is to us in our weaknesses and failings. And how bedrock faithful He has been, has never let us down, and has always been there for us.
This is the same way we are to be now towards others. Jesus taught us the parable of the unforgiving servant (Mat 18:21-35). God forgave us such a massive debt and now we must forgive others when they offend us. If we have received mercy, compassion, and faithfulness from the Lord, should we not offer to others what God has given to us? But we say we have been so sorely mistreated? Think back on how we have treated the Lord. How we have failed Him, broken promises made to Him, and have poorly misrepresented Him to the world that stands in need of Him. But God just keeps on loving us, having mercy on us, and even sent His own Son to die for us. Would we sacrifice one of our own children for one of our enemies? That’s what God did for us, proving just how much He loved us and wanted to solve the problem of sin in our lives once and for all.
It is through the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed. Praise God! Let’s be like the Lord to those who are undeserving of mercy, remembering that when we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8).
(Psa 130:3-4) If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.
Louie