Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)

Great is Your Faithfulness

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”

Summary:

Lamentations 3:22-23 provides a profound expression of hope and faith in the midst of suffering. It emphasizes the enduring love and faithfulness of the Lord, whose mercies are renewed every morning. These verses remind believers of God’s unwavering compassion and reliability, offering assurance and comfort even in the darkest times.

Expanded Explanation:

1. God’s Enduring Love and Compassion (Verse 22):
• The Lord’s Great Love: The verse begins by attributing survival and hope to the Lord’s immense love: “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed” (Lamentations 3:22a). This emphasizes that it is solely due to God’s steadfast love (hesed) that the people are preserved despite their suffering and sin (Psalm 103:8).
• Unfailing Compassions: It further highlights that God’s compassions never fail: “for his compassions never fail” (Lamentations 3:22b). This assurance points to the continuous and inexhaustible nature of God’s mercy and compassion (Psalm 136:1-26).
2. Renewed Mercies and God’s Faithfulness (Verse 23):
• New Every Morning: The verse continues with a beautiful metaphor of God’s mercies being renewed daily: “They are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23a). This imagery suggests a fresh start each day, filled with God’s grace and mercy, offering continual renewal and hope (Psalm 30:5).
• Great is Your Faithfulness: The declaration “great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:23b) acknowledges God’s unwavering reliability and steadfastness. It reassures believers of God’s constant presence and faithfulness in all circumstances (Deuteronomy 7:9).

Reflection and Application:

Reflecting on Lamentations 3:22-23 prompts believers to trust in God’s enduring love and faithfulness, even during challenging times. It encourages them to find hope in God’s daily renewal of mercies and to rely on His unwavering compassion.

Therefore, believers are encouraged to:

• Trust in God’s Love: Recognize and rely on God’s steadfast love, which preserves and sustains them through all difficulties (Romans 8:38-39).
• Seek Renewal Daily: Embrace the new mercies God provides each day, using them as a source of strength and hope (Isaiah 40:31).
• Proclaim God’s Faithfulness: Acknowledge and celebrate God’s great faithfulness, which remains constant and dependable in every situation (Psalm 89:1-2).

This passage serves as a powerful reminder that God’s love and compassion are ever-present and inexhaustible, offering hope and renewal each day. Believers can find comfort and strength in God’s unwavering faithfulness, regardless of their circumstances.

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