Week 23: New Promises Each Day

This week's reading plan is as follows:

* Sunday (epistles): Galatians 4-6
* Monday (the Law): Exodus 37-40
* Tuesday (history): I Kings 5-9
* Wednesday (psalms): Psalms 66-68
* Thursday (poetry): Proverbs 2-3
* Friday (prophecy): Lamentations
* Saturday (gospels): Luke 9-10

In the letter to the Galatians, the apostle Paul uses some 'tough love' to steer the Galatians back to the roots of the gospel. In chapter 5 verse 1, he says: "So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law!" It's a warning that holds for all of us. We have freedom in Christ, but too many times, we allow something or someone else to put a yoke on our neck again, and tie us down in slavery. We shouldn't do that, but live in true freedom through Jesus Christ.

The book of Lamentations is one of its kind. As the title mentions, the book is full of sadness. It is sadness about the fall of Jerusalem in the year 586 B.C. by Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king. The people of Judah were taken into captivity to Babylon, and the city and its temple were destroyed. A desperate situation for the people of Judah. Yet the book contains one of the most beautiful verses of the entire Bible, which we will SOAP on today:

Scripture
Lamentations 3:23: "Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day."

Observation
This verse talks about the unending lover and faithfulness of our Lord. His mercies, also translated as 'promises', begin afresh each day. This verse means that each day is a new day where we can expect God to show up in a big way. No matter what has happened in the past, how bad the situation was yesterday, every single day, his promises are new and fresh. We can lean on them and expect great things from Him.

Application
It is a great reminder to all of us that God's promises are new each day. Too often, we let our current situation control our emotions, or even our outlook on life and on God. This verse tells us that God's love for us and his mercy is unshakable. We can lean on Him every single day, and expect great things from him. It ties in with the verse in Galatians 5:1: Living in freedom means, trusting and leaning on God's promises everyday. Not trusting Him or his promises, oftentimes leads to living in slavery to our worries, our stress, our addictions, our dependence on money, etc.

We are "freedom children" who are indwelled by the Spirit of God's son, through whom we cry out Abba, Father [Galatians 4:6]. Freedom children are expectant, and they lean on God's promises, who are afresh each day.

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, how awesome it is to be your child, to be able to call you our Father. We know you want the best for us, Lord. Even when we go through the valley of death, through a darkness that never seems to end, there is always a new day that holds new promises from You. Thank you for all that you have done for us, most of all for giving us true freedom in your son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In His Name, we thank You and praise You. Amen.

Have a great week, and be expectant to find God's promises as you discover them in His word every day.

In Him,

Dick