It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV)
Today as you read this it will be different from the way I normally write. Normally I would get right to the heart of this verse. Instead I am going to tell you a little about myself first.
I have learned that it is by the mercy of God certain promises have not been fulfilled. At least not yet anyway. Years ago I had a vision of becoming an author. When God gave me a glimpse into the future I believed it and still do. What I have learned is that everything happens according to God's timing. Thank God because I was not even close to being ready.
God help me! The truth is I have given up numerous times. There are many times I have literally screamed at God. Asking, (more like questioning) "Why did you choose me?" It is too hard and I just can't do this. Sorry, but I'm not doing this anymore. As I write these words I had to stop, cry, take a break, and pray. It is hard to tell others of our failures and I don't particularly like making my devotionals personal. I would much rather just teach, yet when I had the opportunity I didn't even take the time to teach Bible study while our leader was
away. God is taking me back to the beginning again and I will rewrite some of my work. This is why. First of all God told me to. Obedience is of the utmost importance. I was told in order to reach others it has to be personal just like our relationship with God. I told God I heard Him and I get it; I heard Him loud and clear. Immediately after hearing this I groaned just a little, but asked the Holy Spirit to intercede for me. (Progress in the making).
Here I am still writing, following God's instruction, and I have thanked Him for His mercy and forgiveness. Looking back on the the devotion God led me to I realized something very important. I had written just believe me when I say..., but never made it personal. Would you really believe me? Probably not. I wouldn't believe anyone unless I was given an example of what they went through. Don't we learn by example? Don't we feel connected when it is personal? Yes and yes.
Moving forward I realize had I gone before God and tried to publish something knowing I wasn't ready I am sure the results would have been devastating. I am certain if I had been turned down I would have made a fool out of myself. Thank you God for your mercy, forgiveness, compassion, and faithfulness. God is really doing a work in me and transforming me into becoming a mature person. My anger is nothing like it was before. I can say this now only because God has changed my heart. God is helping me build my confidence, helping me overcome my fear, and strengthening my faith. The fact is over the last several years I have taken the time to develop a close personal relationship with God, my Father, and my love for God grows deeper the more I get to know Him. I have learned to love God for who He is rather than what He is capable of doing for me. Enough about me. Let's get back to the verse.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed. The word consume has different meanings. It means to (use up) exhausted and depleted. Sometimes we can feel consumed by our feelings of brokenness, fear, anxiety, anger, and depression. God shows us mercy and as He changes us we learn not to live by the way feel. Once we learn to live this way it changes everything.
Consumed in the KJV dictionary means wasted, burnt up, and destroyed. Every morning we wake up God is showing us mercy. Think about it. We could have perished in the middle of the night, but God chose to give us another day of life. God is showing others mercy by giving them another chance to be saved and some people don't even know it. By God's mercy we will not be consumed. God forgives us for our sins (an everlasting reality) and will remember them no more.
When God our Savior revealed his love he saved us, not because of the righteous things we have done because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. Titus 3:4-7
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. His compassions fail not! Great is thy faithfulness it is beyond measure!