Focus
Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.
Read
19 The thought of my affliction and my homelessness
is wormwood and gall!
20 My soul continually thinks of it
and is bowed down within me.
21 But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
25 The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul that seeks him.
26 It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
Reflect
I love this scripture and refer to it often in my own life as well as referring it to others! It brings so much comfort to our souls when we see that God’s character is unchanging! He is always who He says is, and He will always do what He says He will do!
As a pastor and as a friend, I hear multiple prayer requests a day, and they are usually bad reports. Someone has cancer. Someone has a child that is suicidal. Someone has a broken relationship with a family member that is in desperate need of healing. Someone has the challenges of losing their job and/or their home. Someone is in an abusive situation. Someone has Covid. Not only do I hear these prayer requests of others, but I also have my own prayer requests. It can be really challenging at times, yet it is such a blessing for me to pray for others as well as myself!
My heart is full of compassion and love for others, and it truly breaks for people. Even though Jeremiah was going through something completely different than I am, we still have this in common…we genuinely care about God’s people, and it hurts our hearts to see them hurt.
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23. God’s love is constant, and His mercies are as well! Every morning, when I get up, I thank God for a new day and a new opportunity to be His hands, His feet, and His mouthpiece! What an honor it is to be His servant, and His chosen one in the position of pastor! Though I mess up many times a day, He is still faithful! Though I have my character challenged and questioned, He is still faithful! Though I do not always have the words to say, He is still faithful! He is constant love and constantly full of mercy! Isn’t God so so incredibly good?!!!
Pray
Precious God, oh how we love You! Please remind us that you are faithful always and you are full of compassion always! Refresh us through Your Holy Spirit and give us strength to overcome life’s obstacles! Thank You, Lord! Amen!
Go with God!
