New Every Morning

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)

A saint in our church, Priscilla, passed away a few years ago at 102. Though she had her fair share of life's troubles, her philosophy was, “When bad things happen, you can either laugh or cry—I choose to laugh." And if there were a theme song to her life, it would be the great hymn of the church, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” You could be sure she requested it at every hymn sing. Even now, as we plan our worship, whenever we consider #140, we identify it as Priscilla’s song.

The chorus from that song pairs so well with today’s verses:

Great is thy faithfulness!

Great is thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

all I have needed thy hand hath provided;

great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Regardless of what our day was yesterday — or the days before — by God’s amazing grace, this day is a new day! Before we even opened our eyes, God’s mercy was already reaching toward us.

We may have sinned; others may have sinned against us. Yesterday may have carried its share of regret, frustration, or disappointment. But because Christ stands as our intercessor—lifting our failures into God's mercy—and because the Holy Spirit is ever present to guide us into newness, we are not trapped by what has been. Today is a fresh gift of grace. Today is a day to begin again. Grace invites us to live differently today—more gently, more faithfully, more aware of God’s presence. And the God who renews this morning will be faithful in every morning yet to come. 

Lord, thank you for the gift of this new morning and the mercy that meets us in it. Gather up whatever yesterday held and hold it in your grace. Renew us by your Spirit, steady us by your love, and guide our steps so they reflect your faithfulness. Morning by morning, let us see the mercies you provide. Amen.

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Tim