Lamentations 3:22-23, New Living Translation

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”

We experience so many different things in our lives. Some of those things, perhaps, aren't so proud of. Those things that we aren't proud of can really put you in a place where we begin to believe a lie - God couldn't love me after that. I am too far gone for Jesus to save me. Somehow, we are quick to forget the mercy that comes new every morning for those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and have given their lives to Him. I came across this scripture the other day, and it opened my eyes to several things:

1. God's mercy

2. God's patience

3. God's love

Let this scripture sink into your heart:

^“… But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them, even when they made an idol shaped like a calf and said, ‘This is your god who brought you out of Egypt!’ They committed terrible blasphemies. But in your great mercy you did not abandon them to die in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud still led them forward by day, and the pillar of fire showed them the way through the night. You sent your good Spirit to instruct them, and you did not stop giving them manna from heaven or water for their thirst. For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell!” (Nehemiah 9:17-21, NLT)

Scripture tells us that, “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NLT) So why should we be avoiding coming to the Lord about that thing we aren't so proud of? Why should we think that we are too far gone from God or that we aren't loved? My brothers and sisters, we must come to recognize the voice of the Lord. There is no place in the Bible that says that God does not love us. No where does it say that it is impossible for God to save us from our despair. In fact, God is a God of the impossible! Jesus Himself told us, “…Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” (Matthew 19:26, NLT) I have heard this saying numerous times, and I believe I have shared it here before, but it is worth repeating. What Satan steals, he conceals. What God reveals, He heals. Open your heart to Jesus and allow Him to do a beautiful work in you. You will be overjoyed at what He has done. I promise!

Scripture also reminds us of God's patience with us. Psalm 103:7-13 (NLT) states: "He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel.” The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him." Though it takes us time to muster up the courage to bring to God what we have, He is there waiting with open arms. He is ready with ears to listen and a heart to forgive and love. There is no need to worry about condemnation, because we don't serve a God of condemnation. Scripture tells us that, " So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. " (Romans 8:1, NLT) Instead of condemnation, He meet us with compassion and patience. Bring your burdens to the Lord and lay them at His feet.

Finally, God is Love. Scripture tells us, " Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? " (Romans 2:4, NLT) It is His great love for us that extends mercy and patience to us to come to Him. It is love that leads us into eternal life after our time on earth is done. So, we have said or done some things we aren't proud of. God already knows about it. We aren't hiding anything from Him. If anything, we are the ones keeping ourselves locked up in our sins and making ourselves feel miserable. But "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be a holy place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart.” (2 Chronicles 7:14-16, NLT) God chose us because He wanted us and loved us. He still does. He is the same God yesterday, today, and forever. His love for us will never change! Proverbs 3:11-12 (NLT) say, "My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights." He corrects us to put us back on the path of eternal life… that is love! I am so thankful for a heavenly Father who loves me so much and cares so much about my eternity, that He will lead me in the way to go, even if it means correction, so that one day I can be where "He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." (Revelation 21:4, NLT) I hope that you too are encouraged to seek the Lord with all your heart, and that you will find Him when you are hurting or if you are rejoicing!