Fresh Hope for New Life

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

This verse of hope is found in the middle of Lamentations, a book full of passionate expressions of the Israelites' deep grief and sorrow over their exile as refugees in Babylon, including the ruthless destruction of Jerusalem and their temple. It is a reminder that no matter how dark things are, God is present and His love brings a ray of hope.

What is your current darkness? Until we get to heaven, we live in a constant mix of light and dark: joy and sorrow, comfort and pain. This is the human experience, transformed and redeemed by God's grace and mercy, so that we are never overwhelmed by pitch black. He enters our suffering and redeems it. He acknowledges our struggles, while promising new life in their midst and paradise with Him in the end. He brings the light.

Whatever you are struggling with, remember to look for the ray of hope, remember to turn your face toward the Son.

Whether your troubles are big or small, God sees and He cares.

In a city full of bars and concrete

in a place patchworked with brick, glass and metal

on a block of brown buildings and gray

outside a plain house with stark, empty rooms

in a thin crack on a flat, endless sidewalk

I found a tiny, yellow flower, with green leaves

Someone said it was a weed.

I called it life...

and watered it.

Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth and the life. —John 14:6

Fresh Hope and New Life

What is your little yellow flower? No matter how bleak your surroundings, whatever your circumstances are right now, look for the spark of life. Notice it, and nurture it. This is the place where God is at work. This is a way to see Jesus. Pour your heart out to Him and ask Him to open your eyes to His gifts of grace in the midst of life's trials. He is with you. He is faithful. And He never stops loving. His mercies are new every morning.

May God bring you new life and fresh hope today. 🌱🌼