A Verse to Chew On

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning.  Great is Your faithfulness"

Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

A September Sunrise - Boise, Id

When my 2nd born was just a toddler I would sing to her at bedtime.  Her most requested song was Great is My Fitfulness.  Not familiar with that one?  You probably know it as Great is Thy Faithfulness...the old hymn written by Thomas A. Chisolm.

I just loved the name that Lopey had for it though...quite fitting for a darling blue eyed, blond haired girl smack dab in the middle of her trying two's who tended to fight bedtime with every fiber of her being.  When you think about it that title is pretty accurate for all of us in the human species, at one time or another. I'm just sayin'.

It's so easy to find my self in a fit...maybe not the lie on the floor and cry till I get my way fit...but a fit none the less.  Thoughts of  "it's not fair" or "why me" would fall into this category...as would 'fear of' or 'anger toward' things not in my control.  The hymn which is based on our verse is such a good antidote to those fits.

I'm pretty sure that the composer of the hymn would agree.  You see Mr. Chisolm had a few things to pitch a fit about himself.  The first part of his adult life was plagued by health so fragile that he spent most of his time confined to bed.  When he wasn't flat on his back he was working odd jobs like crazy to make ends meet...I'm sure those life conditions could illicit a response of "it's not fair...why me".  He very well might have made those statements.

Somewhere along his 94 year life span though Thomas A. Chilsom came in contact with truth of Lamentations 3:22-23 and the person of Jesus. At some point he discovered for himself that God's mercy and love for us is not only constant, but it's as new and fresh as each morning...and that He is faithful to us...even when we are not faithful to Him...even when the tuff-stuff of life would point to the contrary.

So, chew on this...how would thinking on the truths of our verse change your attitude now?  Do you have a life situation that overwhelms you more than God's love and faithfulness does?  As you chew on Lamentations 3:22-23 say it out loud...like you mean it...it's true!  Your life situation may be true and difficult, but as bad or frustrating as it may be it is only temporal.  By saying that please understand that I am not making light of anything you may be going through.  I am simply trying to put an eternal perspective on it...God is forever faithful, His love to you is steadfast and His mercies not only are without an expiration date - they are new as every sunrise!

As you chew on this verse take time to read over the lyrics they inspired...let the Lord's Word and His presence calm any 'fit' that might be raging inside of you...and remind yourself (we all need to from time to time) that Great is His faithfulness toward you!

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Refrain:
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!

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassion's, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Refrain

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.

Refrain

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!

Serving Him and you,

~Michelle...ApronGirl