Renewed Mercies: Embracing God's Faithfulness Daily
Summary
In Lamentations 3, we find a profound reminder of God's unwavering love and mercy, which are renewed every morning. This passage, set against the backdrop of Jerusalem's destruction, serves as a beacon of hope amidst despair. The prophet Jeremiah, traditionally believed to be the author of Lamentations, uses these verses to remind us that even in the darkest times, God's faithfulness and compassion remain constant. The steadfast love of the Lord is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, emphasizing that His mercy is not just a fleeting sentiment but a perpetual promise. This love is not contingent on our actions or worthiness but is a gift from God, renewed with each dawn.
The concept of God's mercies being new every morning is a powerful metaphor for the fresh start that each day brings. It is a reminder that no matter the challenges or failures of yesterday, today is an opportunity to experience God's grace anew. This is not just a passive experience but an active one, where we are called to engage with God's mercy through faith, prayer, and a conscious decision to wait on Him. Faith is our response to God's revelation, and it is through faith that we receive His mercy. Prayer is another avenue through which we draw near to God, boldly entering His presence because of the sacrifice of Jesus.
Moreover, we are encouraged to declare God's goodness, speaking life into our circumstances and those around us. This declaration is not just for our benefit but also serves as a testimony to others, including our children and even our adversaries. It is a proclamation of where we stand and whom we serve. Lastly, we are reminded to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him. This focus helps us to see beyond our current trials to the hope and joy that lie ahead.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Mercies Are New Every Morning: Each day is a fresh opportunity to experience God's grace and mercy, regardless of past failures or current challenges. This renewal is a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and love, which are not dependent on our actions but are gifts freely given. [09:47]
2. Faith as a Response to God's Revelation: Faith is not just belief but an active response to God's revelation of Himself. It is through faith that we receive God's mercy, choosing to trust in His compassion and love rather than succumbing to fear and doubt. [15:00]
3. The Power of Prayer: Prayer is a vital means of drawing near to God, allowing us to boldly enter His presence and receive His mercy. It is not about our worthiness but about the access granted to us through Jesus' sacrifice. [20:29]
4. Declaring God's Goodness: Speaking life and declaring God's goodness is a powerful act that benefits us, our families, and even our adversaries. It is a proclamation of our faith and a testimony to the world of God's enduring love and mercy. [20:29]
5. Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus: In the midst of trials, fixing our eyes on Jesus helps us to see beyond our current circumstances to the hope and joy that lie ahead. This focus is essential for maintaining our faith and experiencing God's mercy anew each day. [20:29]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [02:00] - Introduction to Lamentations
- [04:30] - God's Mercies Renewed
- [07:15] - The Context of Lamentations
- [09:47] - God's Faithfulness in Trials
- [12:30] - The Meaning of Mercy
- [15:00] - Faith and God's Revelation
- [17:45] - The Role of Prayer
- [20:29] - Declaring God's Goodness
- [23:00] - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
- [25:45] - Extending Mercy to Others
- [28:30] - Practical Steps to Receive Mercy
- [31:00] - Conclusion and Invitation to Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Lamentations 3:22-23: "Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Observation Questions:
1. What does the passage in Lamentations 3:22-23 reveal about God's character and His relationship with us?
2. How does the sermon describe the context in which Jeremiah wrote Lamentations? [09:47]
3. What are some of the different translations of Lamentations 3:22-23 mentioned in the sermon, and how do they enhance our understanding of the text? [09:47]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of mornings in relation to God's mercies? [09:47]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of God's mercies being "new every morning" provide hope during difficult times? [09:47]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that faith is an active response to God's revelation? [15:00]
3. How does the sermon explain the role of prayer in accessing God's mercy and presence? [20:29]
4. What does it mean to "fix our eyes on Jesus," and how does this help us navigate trials according to the sermon? [20:29]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How can the idea of God's mercies being new every morning change your perspective on that situation? [09:47]
2. The sermon emphasizes faith as a response to God's revelation. How can you actively demonstrate your faith in your daily life? [15:00]
3. Consider your current prayer habits. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer to draw nearer to God and experience His mercy? [20:29]
4. The sermon encourages declaring God's goodness. What are some practical ways you can speak life into your circumstances and those around you? [20:29]
5. Identify a specific trial you are currently facing. How can fixing your eyes on Jesus help you see beyond your current circumstances to the hope and joy ahead? [20:29]
6. Think of someone in your life who needs to experience God's mercy through you. What steps can you take to extend mercy and grace to them this week? [20:29]
7. The sermon mentions the importance of waiting on the Lord. How can you practice patience and stillness in your life to better receive God's guidance and mercy? [20:29]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Mercies Are a Daily Gift
Each day presents a new opportunity to experience the grace and mercy of God, irrespective of past failures or current challenges. This renewal is a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and love, which are not dependent on our actions but are gifts freely given. The metaphor of God's mercies being new every morning serves as a powerful reminder that no matter what happened yesterday, today is a fresh start. It encourages believers to engage actively with God's mercy through faith, prayer, and a conscious decision to wait on Him. This daily renewal is not just a passive experience but an invitation to embrace God's grace and live in the light of His love. [09:47]
"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 3:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to embrace God's mercy today? How can you actively seek His grace in this area?
Day 2: Faith as an Active Response
Faith is more than mere belief; it is an active response to God's revelation of Himself. Through faith, believers receive God's mercy, choosing to trust in His compassion and love rather than succumbing to fear and doubt. This active faith involves a conscious decision to rely on God's promises and to live in accordance with His will. It is a dynamic relationship that requires engagement and commitment, allowing believers to experience the fullness of God's mercy and grace. Faith is not static but a journey of trust and reliance on God's unwavering love. [15:00]
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific situation do you need to exercise active faith today? How can you demonstrate trust in God's promises in this area?
Day 3: The Transformative Power of Prayer
Prayer is a vital means of drawing near to God, allowing believers to boldly enter His presence and receive His mercy. It is not about our worthiness but about the access granted to us through Jesus' sacrifice. Through prayer, believers can communicate with God, express their needs, and seek His guidance and strength. It is a transformative practice that deepens the relationship with God and opens the heart to His love and mercy. Prayer is a powerful tool that enables believers to experience God's presence and to align their lives with His will. [20:29]
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine? What specific area of your life needs to be brought before God in prayer today?
Day 4: Proclaiming God's Goodness
Declaring God's goodness is a powerful act that benefits not only the individual but also their families and even their adversaries. It is a proclamation of faith and a testimony to the world of God's enduring love and mercy. By speaking life and declaring God's goodness, believers can influence their circumstances and those around them, creating an atmosphere of hope and encouragement. This declaration is an act of faith that acknowledges God's sovereignty and His ability to work in every situation. [20:29]
"Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble." (Psalm 107:2, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about God's goodness today? How can you share a testimony of His love and mercy with them?
Day 5: Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
In the midst of trials, fixing our eyes on Jesus helps believers to see beyond their current circumstances to the hope and joy that lie ahead. This focus is essential for maintaining faith and experiencing God's mercy anew each day. By looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, believers can find strength and encouragement to endure challenges and to live in the light of His love. This perspective shifts the focus from temporary struggles to the eternal promises of God, providing hope and assurance in every situation. [20:29]
"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What current trial are you facing that requires you to fix your eyes on Jesus? How can focusing on Him change your perspective and response to this situation?
Quotes
1) "But right in the middle of these five chapters of, and the reason most of you like Lamentations, we don't really enjoy reading Lamentations, right? You know, because it's all this sadness. It's all this sadness and all this grief, but right in the middle of that, sandwiched right in the middle of that, Jeremiah reminds us that right in the middle of darkness, God is still a God of hope, amen? Right in the middle of all this chaos, amen? His mercies are new every morning. Jeremiah calls on the people of God to repent and turn back to him, but in Jeremiah, in Lamentations 3 .23, he says, He wanted to remind the people of God, and I want to remind you here today, that God's faithfulness, his love, his mercy, his compassion, they are constant, even in the midst of your trial." [09:47] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Every morning demonstrates God's grace. Come on, a new beginning in which darkness has to flee, amen. You don't have to look any further than the breath in your lungs. Come on, his mercies are new every morning. You don't have to look any further than the sunlight which you drove to church in today. Come on, his grace and mercy are new every morning. The food on my table, the shoes on my feet, hallelujah. His grace and his mercies are new every morning. There is no expiration date on God's mercy to us. New every morning means those mercies are perpetual. They're always available to those in need." [09:47] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Now, throughout the Old and New Testament, we can see that God's mercy flows continually from his forgiving nature. We see it in his protection and deliverance of the people time after time. He shows mercy whenever he chooses to be slow to anger and overflowing in his love. Mercy, hear me though, folks, don't forget this. It is not a benefit based on our merit or something we did to earn it. Come on, it is a gift from God. I don't care how many little old ladies you walk across the street or Girl Scout cookies you buy. You still don't get to deserve the mercy and grace that God gives to us, amen." [15:00] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Some mornings you might get up on the wrong side of the bed, but guess what? Even on that side of the bed, you can find God's mercy and his grace. Now, throughout the Old and New Testament, we can see that God's mercy flows continually from his forgiving nature. We see it in his protection and deliverance of the people time after time. He shows mercy whenever he chooses to be slow to anger and overflowing in his love. Mercy, hear me though, folks, don't forget this. It is not a benefit based on our merit or something we did to earn it. Come on, it is a gift from God." [15:00] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Here's another way we receive God's mercy. Sometimes we have to slow down and wait. And folks, this is a hard one. Right? Psalm 46 and verse 10. Be still and know that I am God. For some of us, that is a hard thing to do. Be still and know that I am God. I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. I said recently in one of our services, I don't know when it was, it was a few months ago, I think, that sometimes one of the biggest acts of faith in our lives is waiting on the Lord. Amen. Come on, we think faith, we always think about the big stuff, right? All the action steps and all the things that we do. But sometimes the best step of faith that you can take is just to stand still and wait on the Lord to operate." [20:29] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "Here's the stop. Stop being so easily offended by the sins of other people. All right, I'm gonna put my pastor hat on for a minute amen and by the way praise team come on up because we're gonna leave a little music for this one amen come on you can't look at people and say go clean up your life and then I will accept you that's not how mercy works come on aren't you glad Jesus didn't do that to you well if you clean up your life I'll take you amen if you'll stop doing this I'll take you if you just quit saying those things or laughing at those jokes or watching those come on Jesus didn't do that to us we got to stop being so easily offended by the sins of other people amen you cannot minister to people if you're always looking down on them from you your perch in your heavenly high places by the way what are you doing up there come on down with the rest of us amen right come on down to earth with the rest of us" [20:29] (65 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?