When was the last time you read Lamentations?
As far as I know, it’s not on the “hot and popular” list of Bible passages that most people study. It might have something to do with the long list of despairing over the state of Jerusalem, a place that none of us (that I know of) live right now.
But within this book are some truths that really stand out to me. Take a look:
“Through Yahweh’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” – Lam 3:22-23
Every morning Yah’s mercy and compassion is renewed. Take a moment to let that sink in.
I know many people who hold grudges. Ever heard someone say “Six years ago that mechanic shop over charged me on some service they didn’t perform correctly so I’m never going back there again, they are terrible”.
Let’s just say I’m glad that God is not a human.
He chooses to renew His compassion and mercy every single day!
I was recently thinking about the first time the temple was built (during Solomon’s reign). There were hundreds of thousands of people working to build this, and it took seven years to complete.
I imagine that during those years, none of the thousands of workers were 100% sinless for all 2555 days of the project. I imagine some days they had bad attitudes. Some days they fought and argued with each other and their families. Some days they messed up in the building process. Some days they did something shameful in secret.
And yet- the temple was built! It was a place that Yah blessed with His own name and presence!
I myself have a lot of different projects I’m working on: to better myself, to uplift my family, to serve the brethren. When I falter in these projects, when I mess up, miss something, act in a way contrary to my goal… my self-reproach is overwhelming.
I’m sure this is how David felt after Nathan came to rebuke him. He was in the process of building a nation righteous before Yah, he was working on becoming a “man after God’s own heart”, he was serving his people and protecting them as king, and then… Bathsheba. The self reproach he must have felt, the agony of failure and set back. These emotions God created to be within to help us turn back to doing the right thing (guilt should lead to repentance).
If Lamentations 3:22-23 is true, it’s never more evident than in this story of David. We see his response to God’s renewed mercy here:
“So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of Yahweh and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate.” – 2 Sam 12:20
I am grateful for this example, and for the surety of Lamentations. Otherwise, I could never trust that picking myself back up and proceeding with my various projects and goals would still be blessed by Yah!
I was recently encouraged when studying this, and wanted to encourage you all: this is His promise of what I call the “Daily Reset”.
I’m sure your mothers all told you when you were growing up that “we can start fresh tomorrow” even after you messed up. It’s true!
It doesn’t matter if you are building a business, building a family, building His kingdom, or just building yourself to be a better person.
Be confident in this:
“That He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Yeshua Messiah” – Phil 1:6
Join me in thanking God for His daily reset! Praise Him for His promise of continuing working on you and me! His mercies and compassions are renewed every morning.
So pick your head up, set your foot back on the right path, and keep moving forward.
Shalom,
Josh
