Great is Your faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:23b

 Scripture reading: Lamentations 3:22-25

In preparation, I read this question,

“How many people do you know who, no matter what the circumstances and no matter how they feel, will always do exactly what they say they will do every single time, (…) With the same thoroughness and perfection [so] that you never have to worry about anything they say or do, because you know if they say it, they will definitely do it without fail, without change and without excuse?”

That is what we mean with faithfulness! Not to be found in man, but found perfectly in God!

Jeremiah, who sat upon the smoking heap of Jerusalem’s ruins, knew that God was faithful! God had warned His people over and over not to continue in their sin. Yet, they would not hear! He threatened them over and over that if they would continue, God would allow Jerusalem to be ruined, the land to be forsaken, and His people to be exiled. God faithfully kept His promise to punish His unfaithful people. William Hendriksen observes,

“Divine faithfulness is a wonderful comfort to those who are loyal. It is a very earnest warning for those who might be inclined to become disloyal.”

Jeremiah knew it firsthand, on top of the rubble… Deeply aware of what he really deserved, namely a total wipe-out (vs.22). Yet, he celebrates God’s compassionate faithfulness toward himself and his people! Every morning he still saw new mercies! Undeserved! (vs.23). Can you see them too, especially when you consider your own daily unfaithfulness?

Suggestions for prayer

Consider and confess your unfaithfulness and God’s faithful mercies. Thank God for Christ’s faithful obedience, even unto death, to cover your unfaithfulness (1 John 1:9). Pray that you would serve the Lord faithfully today.

Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville since 2017. This daily devotional is also available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional.