Lamentations 3:22-23 – Even Through the Bad, God is Faithful

May 08, 2010

The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
--Lamentations 3:22-23 NASB

The most significant thing about this wonderful passage is where we find it in the Bible. The Book of Lamentations tells of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, which took place over 587 and 586 BC when Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar overran the city. The surviving inhabitants either fled to other countries, were carried away to Babylon as slaves or remained under the brutal rule of an occupying force.

Lamentations does not name its author, but it is generally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. For many years Jeremiah had warned the people and their leaders about their unfaithfulness to God. Jeremiah knew that being chosen by God did not translate to a free pass. He knew that actions had consequences. If God's people were not faithful to God's instructions, bad things would happen.

But even when surrounded by death and destruction, Jeremiah still had hope. He knew that even if the people were not faithful in their commitment to God, God would still be faithful in His promises to them.

In verse 22 Jeremiah speaks of God's "lovingkindnesses" and "compassions." The first is the Hebrew word transliterate as checed (pronounced "KHEH-sed"), meaning "favor," "good deed," "kindly," "loving-kindness," "merciful kindness," "mercy," or "pity." The second word is transliterated from the Hebrew as racham ("RAKH-am"), meaning "tender love," "tender mercy" or "pity." Both words tell of God's faithfulness to express His kindness, His love and His mercy toward His people even when they do not deserve it or return it.

Then, in verse 23 Jeremiah observes that God’s love, kindness and mercy are new every morning. Jeremiah uses the Hebrew chadash (“khaw_DAWSH”), which means “fresh” or “a new thing,” and he uses the Hebrew boqer (“BO-ker”), meaning “day,” “early,” “morning,” or “morrow.” Here Jeremiah recognizes that with each new day, God’s love, mercy and kindness are brand new; that God never tires in his faithfulness. God’s captive people were first-hand witnesses to His faithfulness a few decades later, with the overthrow of Babylon by Persia in 538 BC, the return of the people to Judah, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Beyond those events, God’s people would ultimately witness His faithfulness in the coming of His Messiah, Jesus.

As a Christian, I may at times feel like the people of Judah and believe I can do no wrong; that salvation entitles me to a free pass in life. But my actions do have consequences. And while I may find myself a “victim of circumstance,” the circumstance may be of my own creation. Even so, I find it wonderful that while I may not always be faithful in living every moment for His glory, God is still faithful. He never gives up. His love, kindness and mercy are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. Praise God.

Father, I thank You for Your faithfulness to me even when I am unfaithful to You. Forgive me when I fail You and comfort me through the consequences. And with the coming of each day, remind me to rise, to seek You, and to know that Your love, Your kindness and Your mercy are new to me each morning. In Jesus’ name, amen.