November 4, A Crisis of Faith (part 3)
So, the question continues: in the midst of a crisis of faith, when God seems distant or even absent, how can one hold tight to the reality of our faith? Within a message from Lamentations there are three simple yet powerful reminders to strengthen our faith (as we learn from Jeremiah's example of strong faith in critical times).
Reminder #1 (the November 2 devotion): There is and has always been sufficient cause for trusting God in the midst of a crisis (21).
Reminder #2 (the November 3 devotion): God’s lovingkindness toward us is never disputed nor interrupted by life's crises (22).
Today, from Lamentations 3:23, consider the third reminder Jeremiah offered.
21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
22Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Reminder #3
God’s response to your crisis represents His faithful mercies that are new every morning (23).
Sometimes, when facing difficult moments ahead, you may question if you are able to endure. But listening to Jeremiah’s age-old proclamation, we are reminded that God’s mercies are brand new every morning, for great is God’s faithfulness.
The idea of “great” represents a quantitative measure as much as qualitative, for both meanings are intended. This indicates that God’s perfect response to your crisis becomes so constantly experienced that each day brings into your life the powerful demonstration of His faithfulness as if brand new and perfectly designed for that very moment. The idea of “new” indicates that which is fresh, as in new life. One might say, “the best.” God makes Himself completely available to you each day. His mercies and compassions, representing everything God has promised you, is guaranteed each day. Your trust in God is never in vain. Another idea of “new” from the Hebrew language represents that which has “never before been experienced.” God gives you His mercy and His faithfulness specifically for what you will face today. He holds you up in a new and fresh way every moment. You truly never have to question if you can endure, for God has already made a way. His mercies are brand new, and they are waiting on you at this moment as you prepare to begin your day.
The issue is not “where is God?” The issue is, “will I trust Him?” Writer Amy Carmichael once observed, “if God can make His birds to whistle in drenched and stormy darkness, what can He not do for the heart that trusts Him?”
The crisis, whatever it may be, looming over your present moment does not define your present moment. God’s faithfulness does. As you begin this day, to which will you look?
Blessings.
