For the Lord will not cast off forever. Though He causes grief, Yet He will show compassion According to the multitude of His mercies. For He does not afflict willingly, Nor grieve the children of men.
Lamentations 3:31-33
Jeremiah has been through the ringer by this time in his ministry. The prophet feels as though the Lord Himself has made it harder on the prophet than necessary. He feels like collateral damage after he has stood and ministered where the Lord had called him. It feels like the Lord has set him up by putting him in the line of fire. Yet the man of God can’t forget God’s mercy nor can he put away his hope. He knows the Lord to well. He knows that God will give his people another chance. He knows that God does not take joy in disciplining His people.
I am thankful that God is so merciful that in the midst of terrible suffering Jeremiah recognizes that God’s mercy has kept Him from utterly destroying them. Jeremiah declares “… His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23) He recommits his hope in the Lord and then reminds himself of the benefits of being God’s man. He will bless those who wait on Him. He has brought Jeremiah’s trouble in his youth so he will live to see God restore Israel. Jeremiah calls for the people to examine themselves and repent so that the Lord can restore them sooner.
Thank you, Jesus, that you are a God who is compassionate. Thanks too, that you afflict us unwillingly out of necessity to bring us to repentance so that we can be restored to You. Help me to always see things like Jeremiah in the end. Your mercies never fail – I can receive them every day. Let me draw near to You in repentance quickly when I sin. Let me be quick to examine my life before You. Help me love You because You first loved me.
Looking Forward To Each Day’s Mercies,
Pastor Jason
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