A New Year - New Mercies

Eleven months ago today, Linda and I were told that she has a brain tumor. A few days later, we were told that she would only be with us for a few more months. It is with great joy and pleasure that we ring in this New Year, though Linda was fast asleep when it came to the East Coast! I was washing dishes, gathering laundry, etc (well, OK - not exactly at midnight, but all around it!).

Can there be any more encouraging and comforting verses in Scripture than Lamentations 3:21-23? "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."

I imagine there are many of you who share my affinity for the wonderful hymn, "Great is Thy Faithfulness." The entire hymn is packed full of Scripture, but takes its starting and ending points from Lamentations 3:22-23. Do you know the context in which the prophet Jeremiah wrote these words? If you do not know, please read all of chapter 3 sometime today after you learn the context (next paragraph).

These words were written during, or just after, the destruction of Jerusalem by the mighty Babylonian army. There is a possibility that Jeremiah stood in the streets uttering these words while soldiers set fire to buildings, decapitated men, women and children as they (the soldiers) rode through the streets on their horses, and ripped open the stomachs of pregnant women with their swords and killed the fetuses in their bodies. Whether or not Jeremiah wrote these words in the midst of the horror or just afterwards, we are somewhat surprised to know the context to the words that have so often brought us comfort and peace.

But that is the way of things, isn't it? This world brings us sorrow, Jesus brings us peace in the midst of our trials (John 16:33). So, it is with our eyes fixed on Jesus that we begin this New Year. We continue to pray for a miracle! I have already prayed for that several times in this budding New Year. Because of the way Scripture is so often taken out of context, I feel compelled to say almost every time I write that to add that we are also praying "Nevertheless, Thy will be done." We pray that prayer occasionally, not nearly as often as we pray for a miracle, but that is our heart toward the Lord. It is not an easy prayer to offer when you want the miracle so badly, especially at this time of the year when hope is renewed for a better life. But, as Jeremiah was able to affirm God's faithfulness in the middle of horrific chaos, so we proclaim God's goodness and faithfulness (so much more than we deserve) to us, even though we find ourselves in a place we would NEVER choose to be. Having said that, let me say again, we continue to pray for a miracle - thank you for praying with us!

May this New Year bring you closer to our Lord. May you rest in His goodness and faithfulness, no matter how difficult your circumstances. May God richly bless you this year!