I was trying to think up something great about January I actually like, outside of it being my oldest son’s birthday! I am going to be honest with you - January is a tough month for me. Today, my husband, Bill, encouraged me to ask God what is something great about January. I thought it sounded a little ridiculous, but while I was out slipping and sliding, walking my dog, Penny, I did ask God.
Right away, I was reminded that January is the start of a brand-new year - an opportunity for new and even unexpected things. Also, He gently reminded me that every day, even in January, His mercies are new every morning. Lamentations 3:22-23 declares, “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh every morning.”
This is good news to read on a blistery cold winter day. The mercies of God are new. We may have blown it badly, but in His love, He wipes the slate clean so we can start over again. I love that His love is described as faithful, something else we can count on. The news has been a hard read for many of us these days, for various reasons, but this truth remains. His faithful love is unchanging. Love pays attention to our fears and that is good news! God’s faithfulness is indeed great! More good news! His great faithfulness endures regardless of what we read or the wind that howls outside. God is faithful. He does not promise easy or straightforward paths as we all know, but we can count on His great faithfulness to see us through whatever is before us.
This past week, I received news from my doctor; nothing horribly bad, but it bothered me. It made me feel like I was old and falling apart. Then, if that was not enough, Bill had to measure my height because we need new passports, and I shrank an inch!! Now I am 5 foot 2 if I am being completely honest!
Reading over these verses today encouraged my heart as I know what was true in the middle of a warm sunny day in summer is also true on a cold blustery day in January. That is better news!
Dear Father,
Thank you for the good news we read in Lamentations 3. Thank you for your love, faithfulness and your mercies that are new every single day. I pray that you would renew in each of us, whatever is needed today. Thank You Father, for good news even on a wintery January day.
In Jesus Name,
Amen