He's Always Been Faithful!

Have you ever heard the song "He's Always Been Faithful" by Sara Groves? If you haven't, click here. The song is based on verses in Lamentations 3: 22-23 which is also what the hymn "Great is Your Faithfulness" is based on:

"Because of the LORD's great love

we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness."

How I need to be reminded of this on a daily basis. God never fails us, and every day we have a new opportunity to live in His love and be encouraged in the greatness of our God.

Later in Lamentations (3: 31-33), we find these verses :

"For no one is cast off by the Lord forever.

Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,

so great is his unfailing love.

For he does not willingly bring affliction

or grief to anyone."

What a relief! He does not willingly bring us pain, and he will show us compassion when we ask for it. I love meditating on the compassion and love of God (when I can remember to do so), probably because I need these things so desperately. How I deceive myself time and time again that I can do it on my own! And how quickly I wind up mired in pain and grief--all of my own doing. But all I need to do is remember God's faithfulness to me and remember my need for Him. He isn't going to force me to follow him, but he gently reminds me to follow Him on a daily basis. I struggle so, so hard with this!

And still later in Lamentations 3: 55-57:

"I called on your name, LORD,

from the depths of the pit.

You heard my plea:

“Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.”

You came near when I called you,

and you said, “Do not fear.”

So, God, I'm asking for your help. I need your guidance on career, life balance, and in trusting you more. I need your help to stop relying on my own strength. It's just a facade, when in reality, you are the reason anything goes well in my life. Without you I am nothing.

I need your strength and courage to follow your leading, and it use my gifts and talents for YOUR glory.

Amen.