But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 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 3:21-23
Dear Lord Jesus, there are some things I don’t have to “call to mind” today—destructive things which invade my thinking like a swarm of killer bees; depressive things which seek to poison my perspective like toxic mold; demanding things which kick down the door of my praying and reasoning like marauding thieves.
So come, Lord Jesus, in power and grace, come and make my thoughts your willing captives (2 Cor. 10:5). Right now I call to mind your steadfast love—a love which will never cease because I fail you; a love which never waver because you get bored or disappointed with me; the only love that will never let us go; the only love that is better than life.
“Jesus loves me this I know,” and that is enough. Though my circumstances may contradict this grand affirmation; though the condemning voice of Satan tries to mock and shout-down this liberating truth; though my weariness and disillusionment sometimes make your love seem irrelevant or a non-issue… nonetheless, hope can be found nowhere else and your hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured your love into our hearts (Romans 5:5).
I also call to mind your ceaseless mercies, which come every single day—not just in the morning, but all day long. I don’t just need your mercies for me, Jesus, I need your mercies and compassion for others as well. My biggest heart-sucking soul-depleting experiences in life come from people. I’m not better than anybody. I don’t wish people were like me. It’s just that there is no pain like relational pain. Bring the living hope of your mercy into my relational world, Jesus.
Lastly, Jesus, I call to mind your faithfulness. GREAT is your faithfulness. “Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!” That’s not just my song, it’s my sanity, my gospel sanity; it’s not just my beloved hymn, but my only hope. So very Amen I pray, in your tender and tenacious name.