His Mercies Are New Every Morning
God’s Word is filled with rich promises for His children. How do these “precious and very great promises” inform and direct your grief? How does keeping your eyes fixed on these truths anchor your hope in the Lord? In this series, we write about how God, through the promises in His Word, comforts and strengthens us in our sorrow.
In my opinion, one of the most beautiful reminders of God’s mercy is found in Lamentations 3:19-25. It says:
Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.
I have always loved Lamentations 3. Verses 22-23 are some of the most well-known verses in the Bible. When I lost two children back to back, I started reading the entire book to better understand the context of those two verses. I wondered how such beautiful promises came after such explicit descriptions of suffering. After all, the author begins chapter three by stating, “I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of His wrath; He has driven and brought me into darkness without any light; surely against me He turns His hand again and again the whole day long” (Lamentations 3:1-3).
I remember reading these verses right after my daughter died, and they just resonated so much with me. I felt, and sometimes still feel, like the woman who has seen affliction under the rod of His wrath. It has been almost two years since both of my children died, and I have learned that such a beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness and mercy only comes out of deep suffering.
When grieving, it is very easy for me to be self-centered and focused on what has been taken from me. It is so easy to be angry at God for taking my children, and it is also easy to think that God owes me something because of my “faithful” living. The truth is that we deserve far worse than we are ever given. We have sinned against a holy, righteous God and deserve hell. I do not say this to diminish the pain of losing a child. I do not say this to hurt anyone reading. I say this because it is the truth, and I need to be reminded that God is merciful—that He is kind, loving, righteous, holy, and worthy of all honor and praise no matter what He causes or allows in our lives.
Ephesians 1:11 says, “In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will…” Therefore, I should praise Him for His will whether it makes me happy or sad. I need to be reminded daily that He has given us the very best gift ever: Himself. God has to be enough. If not, I have made whatever I think is more important an idol (including my children), which I am guilty of. God’s promises in His Word remind me that Christ alone is my sufficiency and my only hope. Nothing else will satisfy.
I know that it is easier to say that God is the greatest gift than it is to practically live that out. I have failed so many times. However, God keeps drawing me to His Word—comforting me through His promises, and reminding me that this world is not my home which has made me long for His physical presence in heaven even more. Nevertheless, while we are waiting for the beautiful reality of heaven, God has also given us many things to help us as we walk with Him daily.
He has given us His Word, He has given us His Holy Spirit, and He has given us other believers to walk alongside us. I know it may seem simple, but reading these precious promises has helped me remember that God’s mercy is needed, and given, every day. They have helped me reorient myself when I have lost perspective. They remind me that God is faithful no matter what my circumstances are. They also remind me to repent of my sin and for my lack of trust in the One who knows all things.
As we read through the beautiful promises in Lamentations, we should be encouraged that even in the midst of darkness and intense suffering, God is there. The ESV Study Bible (a resource I highly suggest) says, “Hope, not despair, is the final word in Lamentations… [it] describe[s] a movement from horrible loss and personal shame, to restored hope and prayer for renewal” (p. 1475). God, through His Word, has taught me that it is right to grieve my children, but my grief should always turn my focus back on Him instead of on myself and my circumstances. |
The ESV Study Bible also states, “God’s steadfast love (His “covenant mercy” on His people’s behalf) never ceases, even in the face of Judah’s unfaithfulness and the resulting ‘day of the LORD.’ This type of mercy goes the second mile, replacing judgment with restoration. Each day presents another opportunity to experience God’s grace” (p.1475).
We are sinful—even in how we grieve. I was grieving the death of my child while also dealing with symptoms of postpartum for the first time. It wasn’t pretty, and sometimes still isn’t. I have often felt literally crazy, and I have often failed in my grieving. Sister, if that is how you feel, go to God. Read His Word. Remember His promises, and know that you have no righteousness of your own.
If you are a Christian, you are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ alone. God has called me to repentance and restoration through the promises in Lamentations. He has comforted me by reminding me that I rest in His faithfulness and righteousness and not my own. These promises have strengthened me to keep going, to repent when I need to, and to trust God even if I do not understand. He has never failed me, and He never will. Each day that I live, I have am given new mercies, and oh how I need His mercy.
- Ravyn Canale
Hope mom to Noah and Isabelle
Ravyn is married to Anthony, and together they have three children: Noah, Isabelle, and Micah. Ravyn is a teacher and loves reading, writing, and hiking.
Are you a writer who would like to join the blog team? Learn more and apply here.
Got something to say?