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.” Lam. 3:19-24
Dear Jesus, every day we “call to mind” something or someone. It may be our “to-worry-about-list,” or our “to-blame-list,” or our “irritation-justification-list.” Sometimes it’s an unrealistic “to-do list.” None of these give us hope. In fact, they usually fuel our fear, anger, and exhaustion.
Instead, by your grace and Spirit, we want to “call to mind” (and keep in mind) what and Who matters most: Your never-ending steadfast love; and you yourself, Jesus. You are our “portion”—that is our treasure, righteousness, banquet, and inheritance. You are the reason we have hope, for you are our hope.
Thank you for your ever-steadfast, heart-liberating, weakness-inhabiting love. Success shouldn’t be measured today by how much we get done, but by how much we rest, rejoice, and revel in you. Help us remember all day long, “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love”—love for you, and for those around us (Gal. 5:6).
Even our most challenging situations, and our most difficult conversations, can be done with mercy, grace and class. Help us, Jesus. This probably won’t be a glitch-free day, but it certainly will be a grace-sufficient day. Great is your faithfulness. Every other “portion” is a trifle. Only you are treasure-worthy. So Very Amen.