What are your thoughts when you watch the sun rise? Whether you are sitting alone on a beach, watching it burn through snow covered pines, or just see it creep through your kitchen window, there is something moving about a sunrise. A new day has begun. It is untainted by anything we have done and it holds a promise of things to come. I know for some the new day is a painful reminder of things lost. Another day waking to an empty bed where a beloved spouse once lay. An expectation of painful cancer treatments or the hollow realization of another day to battle depression or abuse. Yet even in those circumstances a new day still can offer hope. In the midst of the Lamentations of Jeremiah he writes these often quoted words, "Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,
because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23). The Hebrew word for "mercies" is, "חֶסֶד", hesed. It is a rich word that does not come easily into English. Often translated "lovingkindness". It is a reflection of the reciprocal love based in God's irrevocable covenant with His people. We are loved by Him and nothing can change that. We experience more of the depth of this love when we love God in return. David knew of this unchanging love, even through his failures. Jeremiah expresses it here in the midst of God's necessary discipline upon His people. Every day brings the reminder of God's unfailing love.
The Apostle Paul reminds the rather dysfunctional assembly of believers in Corinth that "love never fails". Pretty much every thing else will, however God's love is constant, no matter what the circumstances. Every sunrise is an affirmation of that truth. We may fail but God's love never fails. We are not worthless losers. Ephesians 2:10 assures us that, "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." We are new creations, (2 Corinthians 5:17). The sunrise tells us that we are no longer those who walk in darkness. Peter gives this encouragement, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 1:9). And even though we may struggle in the journey Paul includes us in his letter to the Philippians letting us know that He Who began this good work will complete it, til the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6).
The world and our circumstances my try to tell us otherwise. However, we are God's chosen ones. We are loved and given a fresh dose of His unyielding love and compassion every morning. No scraps of grace from the day before. A new supply of the needed love and compassion of God with every sunrise. We are confronted daily with the bad news of the day. It seems much of the media is intent on discouraging us and marketing fear. Even the good news is couched in the darkest background and embedded with the cautions that even the good news is not really good at all. Stay under the covers and avoid the sunrise. The darkness is your friend. The light is too scary to deal with right now so cower in the shadows. That simply is not the message of God's Word. Paul says we are more than conquerors. We get renewed and rearmed with God's mercy and compassion every morning. Mercy from Him and compassion to share. We were created for good works not debilitating anxiety. And if ever you feel abandoned just praise Him. David writes, "But You are holy, O You that inhabits the praises of Israel" (Psalm 22:3). God is enthroned, elevated and becomes intimate and obvious to His people in the midst of their praise.
We are children of the light and called to reflect the glory of our God and Savior. We cannot do that hiding in the comfort of the darkness. Life is not easy. Each day will bring troubles of its own. No day passes without some kind of challenge. Thus, God provides a new measure or treasure of mercy, lovingkindness, and compassion every sunrise. They are provided new for you every morning. Great is His faithfulness. So get up and bask in the light of His warmth and compassion one more day. For you are His and He will never leave you alone.
