Day 36

Wednesday, April 9th

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)

Many nights as I was writing these devotionals, I would wake up in the early hours with these condemning thoughts in my head: “Who do you think you are to give advice to anyone? You write about how loving others is the whole reason we’re here on earth when in reality, you’re not very good at it, are you?”

I have no doubt where these dead-of-night thoughts come from: our Accuser, the devil, never rests from trying to lead us into despair. He wants to convince us that our failures disqualify us from making a difference in the world. 

But when these accusing thoughts come, we have a choice: We can curl up, pull our shame around us, and stay in the terrible presence of our regrets, or we can take hold of God’s promises that are always for TODAY. 

TODAY we can offer our time to someone who needs encouragement.

TODAY we can forgive someone who has hurt us instead of holding a grudge.

TODAY we can speak words of life and hope into someone’s day.

“His compassions are new every morning.” It’s almost like God knew we would need them every morning. Instead of letting “how could I have messed up so badly?” keep us crippled, let “how can I help the people in my life now?” keep our eyes fixed on our faithful Jesus. No matter what our yesterdays look like, He always has a hope-filled plan for TODAY.