It Is Of

“It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Lamentations‬ ‭3:22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations‬ ‭3:23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.”

‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When was the last time you read the third chapter of Lamentations? Most believers are familiar with the above 3 verses; maybe not the beginning of verse 22, but most assuredly the end!

“His compassions fail not, they are new every morning” we quote, however about us being consumed - not so much. 

“Great is Thy faithfulness” we sing and hold onto. One of my “go to” verses is verse 24: “therefore I hope in Him!”

But what about the previous twenty+ verses?

“I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.”

‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light. Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day.”

‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:2-3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Have you gotten to the point that you see your affliction as His “rod of wrath?” Have you come to the conclusion that your sin is the reason for your suffering? Where you realize you are blessed because He has not consumed you; that that is what you deserve and only His mercy has spared you? 

Has He brought you to repentance?

He alone is God, and we are not!

“But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth, To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High, To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not. Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not? Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good? Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?” ‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:32-39‬ ‭KJV

Repentance is our only choice! 

My favorite quote of Charles Spurgeon: “If any man thinks ill of you do not be angry with him for you are worse than he thinks you to be!”

Are you still holding on to the lie that you are good? 

“And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.” Mark‬ ‭10:18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Has He brought you to that realization yet? If not He will! You must come to the end of yourself! You must see Him for who He is - God: Maker of heaven and earth!

“Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭10:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Once you come face to face with WHO God is and who you are not - you are half way there! 

We must lay down our pride and humble ourselves, or He will humble us - it is better to do it willingly.

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” James‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Praise God for grace!

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James‬ ‭4:7-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.” Lamentations‬ ‭3:40-41‬ ‭KJV‬‬

My prayer: Father forgive me for robbing You! You alone are God and I humble myself and submit to Your authority! Show me the sins that remain hidden in my heart so I may repent! Cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Continue Your work in me. In Jesus precious name I pray! Amen.

Even so - MARANATHA