Powerful Perspective - Lam. 3:22-23

"The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day." Lam. 3:22-23

I learned two things from Jeremiah (assumed author) this morning:

1. We haven't a clue what true despair and hopelessness is. Here is the situation Jeremiah is living through. Jerusalem is under siege by the Babylonians; there is no food, in fact, mothers are cooking their children to eat! Their leaders are being tortured; their women and young girls are being raped; even though he had warned that this would happen, he is reviled by his own people, rejected, thrown in a cistern and homeless. Yet he can still state that "...the unfailing love of the Lord never ends."!! THAT is being firmly rooted in God!

2. Obey God or prepare to be disciplined. Jerusalem had EVERYTHING one could desire from the world--they were blessed because God loved them and wanted to do good things for them, yet they turned their backs on him. They ignored his warnings and pleadings and decided that they would do what THEY wanted. They felt that their greatness was due to their efforts -- God showed them otherwise.

God, help me to maintain perspective--to always remember where my blessings come from, and to heed your warnings when I am off track. I KNOW that I have what I have only because you gave it. Bless me with peace, patience and focus. I love you Lord.

Today's reading: Lam. 3-5; Rev. 15

God Is The Same... Ps. 105:43-45

From 8/19/2008 reading:

"So he brought his people out of Egypt with great joy, his chosen ones with rejoicing... All this happened so they would follow his principles and obey his laws." Ps. 105:43-45

Throughout the OT, it always strikes me that God continues to refer back to that singular event in time. Of all the miraculous things he had done, it was his bringing the Jews out of Egypt that he singles out as THE defining moment. I always knew this was a big deal, but never understood why it was SO special to God. Well, it struck me today -- this was the moment of "SALVATION" for his chosen people. They were miraculously saved of a pagan land for a purpose, "...so they would follow his principles and obey is laws." So it is the same for us Gentiles. When God sent his son Jesus, that was our defining moment, our moment of salvation--and it is a big deal to God! We were miraculously called out of a pagan land for a purpose--to follow his principles and obey his laws. In he OT, God is clearly showing us how brokenhearted he is over the disobedience of his chosen people -- how are we (how am I) doing in comparison??

Lord, help me to always carry with me the preciousness of my salvation, and how important my actions are to you. Things ARE a big deal!

Today's reading: Jer. 45-47; Ps. 105; Jn. 21