Another year has passed. No wait a minute, I hear you say, not just any year. 2020 is behind us. But like a nightmare that drags its headache into the day, we feel its shadow as 2021 begins, and we wonder, can I survive more of the same, or—heaven forbid—something worse yet?
- What if nothing changes?
- What if the virus is even more contagious?
- What if I can’t meet with friends and family?
- How can my children thrive without a social outlet?
And then, like a three-year-old from the gut of an adult comes the wail, what if school is virtual another year?
What-ifs. They multiply, they fly, they consume.
Let me remind you of this sweet truth: God’s mercies are new every morning.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
Sometimes translations of this verse read, God’s “compassions” never come to an end; they are new every morning. God’s heart is moved by our need. His compassion is abundant enough to meet every what-if.
In the heaviness of our pandemic, I am often taken back to a year long ago when I walked through the marble-lined halls of a hospital corridor.
My daughter had been given a verdict of no hope. With every step I took within those tightening walls of terror, my heart repeated these words inside my head: “I can’t take this. This is too hard.”
But another voice gently chided me in my grief, “Who are you to tell Me what you cannot bear?”
It is good to be at a place where we cannot. It is there we find God can. There we find His mercies new every morning. We discover a Sovereign Father holds us in His tender palm and learn to trust mercies hidden behind veils of tears.
- When the baby’s cry wakes you long before it should, His mercies are new for you.
- When the children don’t seem to get anything right, and you want to scream, “Do I have to do everything around here myself?” His mercy is new.
- When your husband doesn’t get up to help, when he looks at you with glazed eyes because he has nothing left to give, God’s mercies are new.
- When fear burns like fever, His mercies are new.
As a new year begins, carrying in baggage of the old, I want to encourage you to search the Scriptures for all the “newness” we are blessed with.
- New Life in Christ
- New Birth
- New Creation
- New Strength
- New Self
- New Commandment
- New spirit
- New song
- New mercies
(References for study: Rom 6:4; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal 6:15; Is. 40:30; Eph 4:24; Rom. 7:6; Is. 42:10; Lam. 3:23)
Scripture is filled with the joy and promise of “new.” Make some space to sit in these truths; let them permeate your being. Read and reflect. Renew your heart and soul.
No matter how 2020 left you feeling, this is a perfect time for refreshment. His mercy is not marked by a calendar. It neither stops nor ends. It is always there.
New. Every morning.
in the Quiver
in the Quiver 
Sylvia, what a beautiful, encouraging post you’ve given to us. The truths of Scripture you share help us look through our circumstances and fears that threaten to discourage us “to trust mercies hidden behind veils of tears.” He is faithful and always full of mercy. Thank you.
LikeLike
Thanks so much Jeannie. It’s a challenge these days isn’t it? Some things seem pretty “same old,” so I am glad to have had an opportunity to look at some of the new we have in Christ. It has truly delighted me! Thanks for reading and responding.
LikeLike
Amen Ms. Sylvia. Each new day begins anew. We may face old trials and new tests, but God promises to renew our souls when we remember to give it all over to Him. Well said ma’am. Thank you!
LikeLike
I appreciate your comment J.D. I’ve found I needed this look at “new” in Scripture. It has brightened my days and brought some renewed hope!
LikeLike
Wow, Sylvia! Thank you!
Who are you toll tell Me what you cannot bear…
Wow!
Thank you!
LikeLike
Thank you Shelley! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for reading and responding!
LikeLike