Hope for This Day
“This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 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. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”
—Lamentations 3:21–25 (NIV)
“Mornin’! Mornin’! Mornin’!” chimed our GA/Acteens camp director each day as she greeted the campers and staff. Ruth Bagwell was affectionately known to us as “Miss B,” and her cheerful greeting was a reminder that God gave us that day to live for Him. Maybe it was in the way she said it, with a big smile on her face and a strong, sunny voice.
I think of Miss B’s greeting when I read Lamentations 3:23 where it is written that God’s mercies are new every morning. The passage surrounding this verse are words of hope. Not just hope for the future in eternity, but hope for today. We have hope because we know God is with us and His love for us never fails, never stops.
When we seek God and come to know Him more, we come to understand more of His faithfulness and steadfast love. As we know God more, we trust Him as He works in our lives today. Even in the midst of difficulties or sorrows, we have hope within our hearts because of His love for us.
Read through this passage in Lamentations again. Consider looking it up in a different translation. Reflect on the words, and think of ways you see God’s faithfulness and unfailing love in your life. Throughout this month, ask God to use you as an example of His love to the preschoolers you teach in Mission Friends.
Pray:
Loving God, I thank You for the hope that You give me for today. Help me to seek You more each day. Thank You for the many ways You show Your love and faithfulness to me. As I teach preschoolers, may they see Your love displayed in my life. Amen.
Joye Smith is the WMU preschool ministry consultant.
