“I remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and the gall! … 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. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:19–24
Lord Jesus, it’s so awesome to wake up under a cascading waterfall of your ceaseless love and daily mercies. We easily join Jeremiah in “calling to mind” your great affection for us, and tenacious faithfulness to us.
In fact, can call to mind much more than Jeremiah did. He lived with a forward view to your coming, and the fulfillment of the hyper-grand promises of the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31–34). But we live on this side of your “It is finished!” declaration, your triumphant resurrection, and glorious ascension.
Therefore, our whining should be less and our worship deeper. Our repenting should be quicker and our hope more certain. Jesus, you are the only reason we aren’t consumed with guilt, paralyzed with anger, and stuck in our shame.
You are the reason we live by hope, not hype; by grace, not our grit; by faith, not multiple fears. You became sin for us; and in you we have been declared eternally righteous (2 Cor. 5:21). Hallelujah, many times over!
Because the Gospel is this true and sweet, we also join Jeremiah in lamenting our wanderings. We never want to get used to living and feeling out of fellowship with you, Jesus. In view of your steadfast love and never-failing compassion, we proclaim you as our portion and peace, treasure and hope. So very Amen.