Lamentations 3:21-26, 31-33 (NIV) 21Yet 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. 23They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” 25The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. ... 31For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. 32Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. 33For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.
Isaiah 41:10, 13 (NIV) 10So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am you God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ... 13For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Psalm 46:1 (NIV) 1God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
If I were to make a list of the struggles, trials, moments of crises, emergencies, or grief during my growing up years, I’m sure it would be fairly lengthy. However, there is no need for that because it isn’t the focus. The focal point always was and continues to be – not my human faithfulness to God, for it is sometimes lacking and needs refreshing – but rather, the focal point is God’s faithfulness; His love; His mercy to see me through any adverse situation.
When I first began writing, my Uncle gave me this advice: “People need hope. People need to know about God’s love and mercy – His faithfulness. People need 'strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.'”
Dear friend, I do not know what struggles you are currently facing. Perhaps health issues, loss of dear loved ones, financial burdens, loneliness. But I do know this from years of personal experience: God is faithful. He never abandons us; His love is compassionate and His mercies never cease. Great is His Faithfulness.
Great Is Thy Faithfulness (T.O. Chisholm, 1923)
“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.
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! 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!
Lord God, our Father;
Once again we come to the humbling realization that faithfulness isn’t about us, although we are called to be a faithful people. Yet we stumble, hesitate, become overwhelmed and forget that the focus is Your faithfulness to us. You see us through difficult times. Your compassion, Your mercy and grace is new each morning to refresh us and remind us of the blessings You have provided – even in the midst of difficult circumstances. Thank you, dear Lord.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
The devotional Great Is Thy Faithfulness appeared first on Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Copyright 1923, Hope Publishing Co., Owner) Advent Christian Hymnal, ACGC, 1952.
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