Reflection:
One of my friends, Lisa, teaches me regularly about patience within struggles. She is in her late 50’s and she (and her husband) are still caring for their adult son who is significantly disabled. Their other son is becoming independent, and their only daughter died at birth. Lisa admits that she can often feel sorry for herself or compare herself with others. But she forces herself to remember God’s character and to immerse herself in the Scriptures. This passage in Lamentations 3 is one of her favourites. The Lord’s compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is his faithfulness. Lisa reminds me, often, that the way God chose to save the world was through death, before glory and resurrection. Indeed, Romans 8:18 reminds us that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. We are co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings. Somehow, says Lisa, suffering is part of the plan. We are not in control, and we experience groaning before glory. But in everything, we can rely on God’s character and faithfulness. He is shaping us. And because of his great love for us, we are not consumed. His compassions never fail.
Prayer:
Lord, I thank you for this reminder. Please help me to remember your character and your faithfulness, in my groaning. Please help me to notice your compassions, new every morning, and to look to you in everything.