Great Love

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. – (Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV)

We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends. Every morning He shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal! – (Lamentations 3:22-23, ERV)

How enduring is God’s loyal love; the Eternal has inexhaustible compassion. Here they are, every morning, new! Your faithfulness, God, is as broad as the day. – (Lamentations 3:22-23, VOICE)

I don’t know about you, but the thought of potentially having more time in lockdown is gut-wrenching. For me personally, it only would affect what I am able to get out and do. However, my heart is with the countless employees and owners of small businesses, who may be on the verge of financial devastation. Young people trying to pay for tuition, small business owners attempting to uphold their livelihood, and countless employees who sit on the edge of not knowing whether or not they will still be gainfully employed in the near future if their particular establishment is deemed “non-essential”. I know that God is the God of compassion, and His mercies never fail. My hope and prayer is that He shows His compassion, mercy and love in amazing new ways each day, as this whole COVID situation has grown exhausting. 

Lord, let your kindness,

Compassion be shown;

Please grant us Your peace,

As our faith is grown.

Show us Your mercy,

For each day, it’s new;

In wisdom, guide us,

Teach us what to do.

Let each new morning,

Proclaim unto us;

Thy great faithfulness,

And hope in Jesus.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are compassionate and kind, full of unending grace. Forgive us for our fears and frustrations when we cannot see past our current circumstances. Teach us to trust in You. Show us how to love those around us in ways that encourage hope and comfort fears. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in Your love and compassion that is new every morning. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. – Psalm 86:15

The Love that Knows No End

But You, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. – (Psalm 86:15, NLT) 

My Lord, You are a kind and merciful God. You are patient, loyal, and full of love. – (Psalm 86:15, ERV) 

But You, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love, and You never, never quit. – (Psalm 86:15, MSG) 

 

Some mornings it is far more challenging to get up and get moving than others. Because I rise quite early, there are morning that I think my body is confused, and I wake up several times prior to my alarm alerting me with an Irish jig. Today was that sort of morning. The actual getting out of bed is not so much the struggle, but rather the seeming ability to function well, prior to my coffee kicking in, is where I find myself right now. As I sit and read the various translations/interpretations of this verse, I am blessed and encouraged, for God is for me and is faithful to meet me, even in my exhausted state. He is not angered that I feel weary, but rather His grace washes over me, and I am equipped with all that I need to continue each step of what He calls me to do. God cares about the minute details just as much as He is concerned with the big stuff. I know this to be true, as His love washes over me while I sit and focus on His word. May we ever seek the Lord and His unfailing love, for His kindness knows no end and His patience does not pass away.  

 

On difficult days,

You still are with us; 

Ever granting strength, 

The love of Jesus. 

You never give up, 

Your love never fails; 

When we’re feeling stuck, 

You’re wind in our sails. 

We thank You, O Lord, 

For all of our days; 

For all that You are, 

And Your faithful ways. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You love us and meet us, no matter how we come before You. Your love lifts us up and carries us through each day. Forgive us for our moments of doubt or dismay, when all around us seems too much. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would embrace Your grace as we rise each new day. Show us how to love those around us in a way that conveys Your faithfulness and willingness to love without limits. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You each new morning, and praise You for Your faithful and unending love. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing,May 2011 – present 

 

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. – Psalm 103:8

Mourning’s Light

image by Michele

“Jesus wept.” – John 11:35

Two small words that speak volumes of God’s heart for us.  This short sentence gives account of our Savior’s response to the loss of a loved one, and those He also dearly loved that were left behind to grieve.  What I love so much about this historical account, is that the story did not end in their time of mourning, but instead He went on, moved to do the miraculous, and raised Lazarus from the dead.

God is a God of compassion who comes close and carries our heaviness and holds our hearts.  I imagine gentle tears graced the face of Glory in recent days, as He has held the hearts and hands of the grieving.

I think also, of what a devastating decision He chose to make when He sent His Son to be our Savior.  He knew the road our Redeemer would have to walk and the death He would have to die.  Knowing the coming anguish, He still chose to come close.  Tears likely touched the faces found in heaven at His earthly descent, yet surely they freely flowed upon His rightful return to His heavenly throne.

Christmas can be a challenging time for those caught in the midst of mourning.  I imagine that joy is a little harder for the families of Sandy Hook to find this season.  My assurance lies in knowing that He sees their pain, and is present among them.  He weeps as they weep, and mourns as they mourn.  The beauty that is promised, is that there will be joy again.  Despite the devastation, God’s goodness and grace will fill that place, and the people will rise again.  He will bring beauty from the ashes and hope from the sea of tears.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are a God of compassion who comes close.  Thank You that You are not afraid to shed tears and allow Your heart to be heard.  Forgive us for hiding ours.  Teach us to trust You enough to be transparent, so that others may feel Your comfort and compassion as we do not shy away from coming close to those in need.  Father, please be the comfort and strength of all who are affected by the devastation in Connecticut.  Lead us to love as You love us, so that many may come to know You as the Light of the world this Christmas.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present