Mercy for Every Tomorrow (Lamentations 3:21-23)
- John Kimbell
- 59 minutes ago
- 3 min read
[But] this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: ²²The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; ²³they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:21-23)
These verses from Lamentations are some of the most well-known and well-loved statements in Scripture for good reason. Perhaps what comes to mind when you read them is a painting that depicts a place of peace and tranquility: a cozy cottage tucked between two mountains, a flowing stream under a softly glowing sunset, a flower garden off to the side, and these verses appearing underneath in beautiful calligraphy. What’s surprising to many is the context in which they were written.
In reality, the entire chapter leading up to these verses casts a picture of excruciating suffering, sorrow, tragedy, hunger, death, and loss. In it, Jeremiah is describing the siege and destruction of Jerusalem by foreign enemies as he experienced it. His words powerfully capture going through circumstances that would seem to extinguish any glimmer of future hope. Such a dark backdrop may seem to make these statements less appealing or less encouraging. On the contrary, it should help us appreciate their true preciousness and beauty.
When circumstances would seem to offer no reason for hope, Jeremiah declares that there is always a place where hope can be found. That place is the steadfast love of the Lord and His mercies. Notice, the mercies of God are not only everlasting, they are new every morning. There is a particularity to that statement. Not only does God’s mercy last forever, but it will be freshly provided and uniquely appointed for tomorrow’s needs.
I once had a family member schedule a meeting with a financial planner. The planner asked him to explain his financial goals. He wryly quipped in response, “Honestly, I’d just like to make it to Thursday.” Maybe you can relate. Sure, a retirement plan sounds great, but you would just like to make it to Thursday!
The good news of Lamentations 3:21-23 is that God’s mercy will be there for you in eternity, and on Thursday. God doesn’t ask you to live on borrowed mercy from yesterday. Nor does He only promise mercy for the distant future. He will provide His mercy for tomorrow’s needs. He will provide for that task, that decision, that conversation, that apology, that offer of forgiveness, that material need, that physical pain–whatever is truly needed. He gives new mercy at the start of every tomorrow. And He will continue to provide it every day and every moment for eternity. Therefore, no matter what dark circumstances you may be facing, you can say with Jeremiah, “I have hope.”
For Reflection
When hard circumstances arise, where do you tend to look for comfort?
Ask God to help you see where His new mercies are intersecting your life today.
Thank God for His never ending, ever new mercies.
John Kimbell is Pastor of Preaching at Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville, KY, where he has been serving since 2008. He completed his M.Div. and Ph.D. at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. John was introduced to regular Scripture memory through the Fighter Verses memory program at Bethlehem Baptist Church while attending college in Minnesota. John is married to Sarah and they have six children.