God’s Love Is Steadfast

by Rev. ‘Debo Onabanjo

“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”

– Lamentations 3:21-22

Read

Lamentations 3:16-24

Reflect

Have you had some water to drink today?  If not fill a glass with water and drink half of it.  What is left? Depending on your attitude or state of mind, you will either see the glass as half-empty or half-full.   How you see the level of water in the glass will provide some insight on where you are on the mood elevator, and determine to a large extent what your outlook for the day will be like. 

If you see it as half-empty, you are allowing the negative and ungrateful part of you to have the upside. That should not be surprising, with the stress and unease resulting from the new normal of social distancing and other challenges from the ongoing COVID-19 experience.  But you can intentionally focus your mind on seeing the glass as half-full, which is more positive than seeing it half-empty. Regardless of what you see, the reality is that the level of water in the glass is the same.

In today’s passage, the crying Prophet Jeremiah was lamenting the devastation in Jerusalem and this filled him with bitterness and sadness. Like Jeremiah, in times of unusual stress, resulting from circumstances we cannot control, we often tend to see things from a negative perspective. This is further exacerbated by the unending stream of nerve-wracking “breaking news” from the news media.  

But like Jeremiah, we can intentionally and prayerfully have a mental shift, by recalling to mind that “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).

After all, God woke you up this morning.

So, why not pick up that glass of water again. What do you see? 

Imagine that some folks even here in the US don’t have clean water to drink, water to shower and to take care of the many things you ordinarily take for granted. 

Let the thought that things are not always as bad as they appear to fill your heart with renewed hope, gladness and gratitude for a God who loves you no matter what. Intentionally focus on the positive today.

See the good in your grumpy spouse or the child who is driving you nuts with questions as to when it will be okay for them to go visit their friends. Take your furry friend for a walk when you don’t feel like it. Go for a walk, thank God for the gift of the new day, and smile because you know God is going to make all things right. 

God is faithful and can be trusted.

Respond

Loving God, forgive me for allowing my circumstances to affect my mood and to doubt your love for me.  Your Word tells me that I will never be forsaken or abandoned. Help me to always call to mind your faithfulness, and glory in your steadfast love for me and my family.  I thank you for your presence with me today. Help me to share the hope I have in you with some else today. I pray in the powerful name of Jesus my Savior, Amen.

Remember

How did recalling God’s steadfast love and faithfulness in the past affect your thinking today?

Comment below or use a journal to record how God is with you each day of this journey.