This is from my April 23 Facebook Live
Today is April 23rd. I am a little sad. Prior to Coronavirus interrupting everything, I was to be on a plane flying down to visit our daughter. She is getting married in June. This weekend was to be her wedding shower. I was going to help her move into their new apartment and get settled. It’s ok. I know it will all work out. Right now, her wedding is scheduled for mid-June and the wedding venue anticipates everything will be back on schedule. I am thankful for God’s faithfulness.
I’ll be reading from Lamentations 3:22-24. If you have your Bibles, read along with me. I’m reading from the New Living Translation.
“The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”
Lamentations 3:22-24 NLT
Our nation has been going through some very dark days these past two months. Tragically, there have been thousands who have lost their lives and millions who have lost jobs. Nearly everyone in our country has been affected somehow.
The whole book of Lamentations is a lament – a passionate expression of grief or sorrow. Jeremiah was in a very dark place when he wrote the book of Lamentations. He was grieving because of the destruction of Jerusalem and the devastation of his nation.
In chapter 3, Jeremiah turns a corner – He sees a ray of hope. He sees that even in the midst of sin and suffering surrounding him, that God’s love never ends and that the Lord’s mercy was new every day. Jeremiah knew that God would keep his promise of restoration and blessing.
We can have hope in the midst of this pandemic just as Jeremiah had hope in the midst of his affliction. We can trust in God’s faithfulness each day.
Did you know the hymn “Great is thy Faithfulness” was written from
Lamentations 3:23. I don’t sing, but I thought I would read through the lyrics….
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! 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. 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. Great is Thy Faithfulness by Thomas Chisholm (Public Domain)
I have so many memories of singing this hymn over the years – It is one of my favorites!
Thanks for hanging out with me today! I’ll close in prayer…
Will you pray with me?
Oh precious Heavenly Father, Thank you for being with us this day. Thank you for your faithfulness and your new mercy day by day. God, I pray you will bless my friends and family who are watching today. I pray they will see how your faithful love endures forever!
Oh Lord, bless our nation. Bless the leaders who will be unfolding the reopening plans. Bless each healthcare worker, first responder, nursing home caregivers.
Bless all the pastors who are navigating what their new normal will be for their congregations.
Oh Father, thank you for the privilege to come to you in prayer. We ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thanks for joining me today!
I hope you know that you are loved!