Verse: Lamentations 3:22-23
22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Devotion
As we begin a new year it helps to anchor ourselves in the Word of God. This New Year’s Day may feel different to some. Maybe instead of resolutions, you feel like giving up. Maybe looking at another year with Covid makes you anxious. Maybe you’ve got stuff in your life you’d like to make a resolution for, but you know it probably won’t work anyway. Plus, it’s been raining for like 1000 days straight. (Seasonal depression anyone?!) Ugh.

Happy stinking new year.

This (as always) is when we need to turn to the Word of God for hope. And in these verses from Lamentations (a book written from a place of sorrow) we find three points of hope.

First – God’s great love. Because of his great love we are not consumed. That is an amazing promise. His great love is more than we can ever imagine, and more than we’ll ever need. Start your year knowing that you are wholly and completely loved.

Second – his mercies (or compassions) that are new every morning. Every day God has new mercy for you and me. Each day is a new day. One day at a time, walking in the mercy of God. When life feels overwhelming, God’s mercies are exactly what we need, in the moment, in the here and now. Every. Single. Day. (Yes, I just did the three words, three periods thing. Did it work?)

Third – his faithfulness. Let me ask you to do something weird. Close your eyes and repeat a few times in prayer to God, “Great is your faithfulness.” Go ahead. I’ll wait.

Great is God’s faithfulness to you and me. This is a promise I can build my year upon, how about you? No matter what comes my way this year, God will be faithful to me. People won’t be. Jobs won’t be. Viruses won’t be. The economy won’t be. But GOD WILL BE FAITHFUL TO YOU. You can take that to the bank.

Let the Word of God speak loudly to you this morning as you reflect on a new year of uncertainty that lies before you. Let his Word be an anchor for your soul. Here’s the Message version of the same verses just to let it sink it in further:

God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,
his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.
They’re created new every morning.
How great your faithfulness!
I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).
He’s all I’ve got left.

Prayer
I choose to anchor this new year in your love, mercy, and faithfulness.

Author: Christian Dunn