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