He is forever faithful. Deut. 7:9 says He is the faithful God. Psalm 33:4 says that He is faithful in all He does. And Ps. 89:24 says that His love is faithful. Ps. 145:13 says that the LORD is faithful to all of His promises.
1 Cor. 1:9 says that God is faithful (see also 1 Cor. 10:13. 1 Thess. 5:24 and 2 Thess. 3:3 firms that God is faithful and will keep us and establish us in our life in Christ. Even if we are unfaithful to God, He remains faithful because He cannot deny Himself-
2 Tim. 2:13
1 Peter 4:19 says we can commit our self to our Faithful Creator when we suffer. And 1 Jn. 1:9 says God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. And gloriously in Rev. 19:11 Jesus is called Faithful and True.
So we can depend on God's faithfulness because it is true and trustworthy. It never fails and is never withdrawn or disappears. Nor does it this faithfulness ever deceive us as being unfaithful when He says He is faithful because God cannot be what He is not. Ps. 36:5 and 57:10 say His faithfulness reaches to the skies. It is immeasurably reliable.
Ps. 89:8 says:
"O LORD God of hosts, Who is mighty like You, O LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You." It is part of His glory that comes from His essence. Ps. 117:2 says His faithfulness endures forever.
Is. 25 :1 says
"O LORD, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise Thy name; for Thou hast done wonderful things; Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth." God's faithfulness and truth cannot be separated, they are aspects of His Essence which is not divided up into separate attributes; all His attributes are unified in His One Essential Nature.
Is. 42:3 says that in His faithfulness He will bring forth justice. So true justice comes from His faithfulness to Who He is.
I love Lamentations 3:21-23:
"This I recall to my mind., therefore I have hope. It is of the LORD's mercy that we are not consumed,
1 Peter 5:7 says that we should cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us. Several passages in Psalms discuss God's compassion and or mercy. Romans 9:15 states that He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy; and compassion on whom He will have compassion. Ultimately; of course that involves those who come to saving faith in Christ; but of course for now it rains on the just and the unjust. ( Matthew 5:45). Luke 18:38 shows how Bartimaeus asked for mercy and Christ healed his blindness.
According to Lamentations 3:22 his compassions they fail not; and that is due to His mercy that we are not consumed. The theme there is the destruction of the Babylonians with the horrible famine in particular focus. This verse could be taken as physical survival of the ordeal but also spiritual preservation of the soul. God always preserves a remnant; and God honors His covenants and that is through the remnant that is purged in various trials.
God's Attributes: Covenants
I have discussed covenants in particular focus on the marriage covenant in previous posts. I have given at least an outline of the (imlied) covenant with Adam and the first one in scripture regarding the rainbow and God preserving the world from another global flood; the Abrahamic Covenant; the Mosaic Covenant; and finally the new covenant that Christ has given His people under the blood and how it is even more stringent with thoughts and intentions than the previous one (see Matthew 5:20 on exceeding the righteousness of the Pharisees). I will reinforce the fact that except for the abrogation of the Old Covenant in terms of the law and righeousness for the New under Christ; covenants in God's eyes are eternal; or at least as far as the terms made between men and God or even between men as to the length (in marriage it is until "death do us part" which fits in with 1 Corinthians 7:39.) We are not to take a vow flippantly ( Ecc. 5:4-6).
There is much prophetic scripture in Zechariah; much of which can be directly connected with prophecies in Revelation; as well as with the first coming of Christ. There is the idea of the New Covenant replacing the old one with Israel but never a total abandonment of Israel where God eventually is destined to establish His people in peace and prosperity in the Millennial Kingdom.
Zechariah 1 begins with a description of the earth being at rest (verse 11); but the expected promises of the end of captivity in mind in verse 12. Verse 13 indicates an affirmation of words of comfort to an angel that apparently communicated with Zechariah on these matters. Verses 16 and 17 indicate prosperity to return with the rest of the chapter indicating the "horns" (V. 21) that had scattered the land of Judah.
We need to be mindful of the reasons for the captivity as shown in earlier verses 3 through 6; this is a repeated theme in scriptures; much as Daniel at around the same time would pray in regard to the scattered people (see Daniel 9:1-19). In fact; many prophets begin their books with a review of rebellious acts such as Isaiah 1 where even an ox knows it's master but the people are dumber than animals ( Isaiah 1:3). Ezekiel also talks about the woe of the people being obstinate ( Ezekiel 2:4); and is put into bands to signify the captivity and had to eat food cooked with cow dung (as a concession to protest of human dung in Ezekiel 4:14 (ugh). Finally the last book of the O.T. Malachi also starts discussing poor attitudes among those who are offering sacrifices. Blessings are promised for those who would truly sacrifice with the right attitude (contrasted with Malachi 1:8) in the third chapter from verses 10-18.
The sins of Israel will not be fully removed until the Lord is about to return ( Zech. 12:12-14). Thankfully we cannot thwart HIs eternal plans or we all would be finished. His mercies are renewed daily ( Lamentations 3:22-23).
"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not." ( Lamentations 3:22)
...and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.' ( Deuteronomy 1:31)
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ( Romans 5:8)
The mercy of God and His lovingkindness are something that never pass; or grow old. It is something to daily praise Him for no matter what the circumstances as we know that we shall indeed be in His presence someday; and out of these old bodies whether by Rapture or Resurrection. He has secured us for all eternity. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. ( Psalm 103:12). As believers he has replaced our heart of stone with a heart of flesh ( Ezekiel 36:26). His children are sanctified and inevitably glorified ( Romans 8:30). Whether we consider the Israelites physically delivered from Egypt's bondage to the Promised Land; or our own delivery from the earth to heaven the Spirit seals believers with this "down payment" ( Eph. 1:13).
WORD OF WARNING
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. ( Matt. 5:45).
This verse is related to previous ones speaking of loving our enemies as part of the Sermon on the Mount. Christ shared close ties with Judas Iscariot; according to Psalm 41:9 "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me." The unregenerate enjoy for a time the creation in this life but attribute their blessings to what they consider the "goodness" of their heart; their accomplishments; merits; accolades etc. See Ecclesiastes 8:11 for a warning on delayed judgment; also see Galatians 6:7.
Further thoughts on Luke 15 and parable of the Prodigal son and the lost sheep of the 99.
As believers we can truly have Godly sorrow that leads to repentance ( 2 Cor. 7:10). Such is the case with a new believer; but parables such as these show how we should continue as His sheep to live with such a love for our heavenly Father.
The primary point I wish to emphasize here is how a man's heart can harden to the point where a conscience is seared; hence beyond hope (1 Timoty 4:2). This is serious business; and we see it with professing believers and the world alike. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 gives us a list of the unrepentant sins; more specifically lifestyles which will end up with the sinner in hell. When sin happens it needs to be acknowledged as such; a personal offense to God; other people we know and society at large particularly in the categories of sexual sin; or mental and physical attacks on others. The man who covers up his sins ( Proverbs 28:13 will not prosper; therefore the verse states we should confess in order to obtain mercy. Somehow as believers it seems like it is a one time thing many times to ask for mercy; to beg for forgiveness or to seriously consider how tender His mercies truly are.
Consider Lamentations 3:22-23. In the midst of the most harrowing; graphically detailed description of God's city of Jerusalem being overcome by famine; disease and war we see this statement showing that God still holds out mercy; despite most of these calamities being a result of deliberate sins warned against by the prophets for many years. The parable in Luke 15 in regard to the older brother is almost the opposite scenario; someone who has an abundance of material wealth and still complains as to his father's forgiveness of his younger brother. This goes to show that spiritual blessings are not dependant on material wealth; and when we have success financially it isn't necessarily appreciated if we have a godless spiritual existance.
John, Jesus loves you. Cast all your cares on Him because He really does care about you!
1Peter 5:6-11
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Lamentations 3:22-23
(A really good chapter. God has what you need. John 3:16 Jesus Christ is the answer for all of life's problems.)
22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
I'm praying for you this morning. In Jesus name. Amen.
Hi GiGi. Thanks for your question; an important one, though unsure how well it can be answered. This is one that I've given much thought to in the past & even till now, I feel I haven't been able to properly grasp its full implications.
Put succinctly, I would define it as follows: Mercy is one of God's Attributes, just as Holiness, Truth, Wisdom, Power, etc. are; and Grace is what flows from His Attribute of Mercy, & we as His creation, are the recipients of it. Or, in other words, we could never know experientially God's Mercy if we did not receive it as Grace afforded us.
When we read that God is "a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil" ( Jonah 4:2), we understand that Jonah, in spite of his anger against the LORD for saving Nineveh, he also knew that God was a gracious & merciful God and would be so to him even when he disobediently fled to Tarshish.
I read this verse as Jonah's view & understanding of God's Character: that God was altogether gracious, merciful, patient, kind, & just; but to receive such blessings, they had to emanate from a God Who is a merciful God, and His Mercy would consistently prevail until the need for a warranted immutable justice be delivered by Him.
As Lamentations 3:22 reads, "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not". Both the believer & unbeliever are alive today because a merciful God continues to extend His Mercy to us. This we receive as His Grace (Gk. charis) to live, function & enjoy life that He gives us. But when the day comes when His Mercy is no longer extended to humanity, Grace ceases & His Wrath & Judgement are poured out.
I'd be interested to read how others understand God's Mercy & Grace.
Job had many complaints about God; but we must realize that he was unaware of Satan's part in the calamities in particular in Job 1 and 2; and the eventual physical toil allowed by God with death being the only limit Satan couldn't reach. That caused the suffering found until the last chapter of the book. God used it to test Job; to see if he remained faithful and not curse His name (as apparently his wife did). Only in that sense did God use this as He does all things for the good for those who love Him ( Romans 8:28).- The frightening apparitions or dreams that Job saw; the painful sores; the accusations of his friends etc were unjustified.
The important event which I tended to overlook was God's command for Job to pray for his 3 friends (with the youngest one for some reason left out). If he hadn't done this not only their own state would be in peril; but perhaps Job himself would never have gotten over his bitterness and could have ended up much like Jonah. His own restoration was tied into forgiveness toward his friends; a lesson we cannot afford to ignore. Also; of course Job's fortunes were restored even more than before; in both beautiful offspring; and riches. It is interesting that only daughters were mentioned; it would be supposed that something good came from his wife (who knows if she ever repented of her own callous words).
So as to your original question; what was being blamed toward God was really Satan's "machinations". God has predestined all things; even Job and Satan in the time and place these events occurred; for our own edification (as all scripture is God breathed and worthy for instruction; etc. ( 1 Tim. 3:16-17). God tests all His servants to prove that they are overcomers; and to produce fruit. God doesn't willingly afflict man ( Lamentations 3:31-33). He has no pleasure even in the death of the wicked Ezekiel 33:11. He chastises all those He loves ( Heb. 12:6). Let us rejoice in this and trust Satan is a defeated fo
"I was greatly troubled in my groaning. I will bathe my bed and my cover each night with my tears. I have become old in the midst of all my enemies. Depart from me, all you who work at lawlessness, for behold the lord has heard the cry of my weeping and the lord has heard my prayer."
That long, horrible gaze into God's ugly mirror, the image of which becomes clean only through a myriad of flowing tears, and God's infinite grace and mercy.
Psalm 56:8-9
"You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle- are they not in Your book? Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side."
Exegesis on the Soul - Nag Hammadi Scriptures
Psalm 103:1-5
"Praise the lord, O my soul and all that is within me, praise his holy name. My soul, praise God, who forgave all your sins, who healed all your sicknesses, who ransomed your life from death, who crowned you with mercy, who satisfies your longing with good things. Your youth will be renewed like an eagle's."
This passage shows God's purification process in the life of every believer. When troubles come to born-again Christians they are the will of God and for the purpose of God to perfect the child of God.
A great hymn that incorporates the meaning of Lamentations 3 is "How firm a foundation."
1
"How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?"
2
"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand."
3
"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress."
4
"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine."
5
"E'en down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And then, when grey hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne."
6
"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
Dear ones, I understand yours well "David", But do not understand how u answer? Marke - in Reply on Lamentations 3. So I answer with Romans Chapter 8 and 9. example: Romans 8:31-39 Amen
May the light shine in our hearts so that the heat flows it from our lives. In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, Amen
Chastening does not always come as punishment for sins. Job was not being punished for sins when he endured great trials and suffering. Chastening is for correction, for rebuke, for correction, and for instruction. The Lord breaks all born-again believers as part of the growth process.
John 15:2
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
As Christians grow and begin to bear fruit the Lord purges us so that we may bring forth more fruit.
Once we begin to gain more victory over besetting sins after we are saved then we become prepared for the next step of Christian growth, which is the refiner's fire.
Proverbs 25:4
Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
Before us is pain and suffering. Behind us is cold and shivering. Deafening silence abounds about us because our sins have turned the LORD GOD away, "My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD:"
But the LORD has caused me to remember
"22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
Thank YOU LORD for YOU are Righteous and Faithful and will not cast off for ever. V31
We are in grief however it is not of the LORD'S doing. My Loving GOD has compassion according to the multitude of HIS Mercies. We therefore must not complain for the punishment of our sins.
Because of my transgressions, my enemies and those against my GOD, blaspheme HIS Holy Name and Character. I have given the lost further grounds to mistrust my KING and LORD of my life the LORD JESUS CHRIST. I know that they will receive the recompense according to the work of their hands. They will be covered with sorrow of heart, and cursed, persecuted, and destroyed from the Righteous anger from under the heavens of the LORD.
However, compassionate LORD GOD, thank YOU as YOU bless all who will turn to YOU and give praise and glory unto the LIVING GOD, the anointed ONE - the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Thank YOU FATHER for hearing our cries and blessing all those who call YOU GOD and KING today.
I hope and quietly wait for YOUR appearance in the clouds. YOUR saints await the shout of YOUR VOICE "to come up hither."
Our wait for the LORD should be a "working" while waiting. Reminds me of an gospel song:
"Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;Waiting for the harvest, and and the time of reaping,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves"
"Bringing In the Sheaves" Written By Knowles Shaw; Psalm 126:6
I pray LORD for YOUR intercession regarding Russia/Ukraine. Our President Biden and his administration turns to Your wisdom and lean not unto his own understanding. Praying for comfort and peace unto those who are contemplating abortion; that they find joy and love in Christ Jesus.
Thank You LORD for hearing and answering our cries and supplications.
Hello Joyce. I'm not sure of the reference you're thinking of, but when we look at examples such as Psalm 73:26 or Lamentations 3:24, the phrase that God is "my portion", speaks of God being their 'possession'. This demonstrates by the Psalmist & Jeremiah (in Lamentations), that God was their special possession Who provided them with the confidence & strength to face whatever the uncertain future held for them.
I take it to believe "yea", may not be him rejoicing but even that, has scripture backing Philippians 4:4-9, James 1:2-4, 1 John 4:18,
even if we walk in/near death we should not fear because GOD promises to be with us (that trust in HIM) Deuteronomy 31:8, Hebrews 13:5-6, John 14:16-21, Psalm 139:1-24, Psalms 37:40,
The rod; Proverbs 13:24, Job 21:9, Proverbs 29:15, Lamentations 3:1, many times references discipline, correction: Proverbs 22:15, Proverbs 23:14, Proverbs 3:12, Hebrews 12:4-8-11, Staff: Hebrews 11:21, Zechariah 8:4, Exodus 21:19, Numbers 22:27, 2 Samuel 3:29, Judges 6:21
Hopefully these scriptures help you with the HOLY Spirit to understand deeper. John 14:26, James 1:5
Lamentations 3:40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.
1 Corinthians 11:27-32 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.
Philippians 4:6-7do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Yes, I think so, but I think there be a deeper meaning also. Jesus said that from the days of John the Baptist til now when Jesus was speaking those words the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violence take it by force. In Lamentations 1, it also speaks of a fall from heaven. There are allegories all throughtout the OT.
Everyone want the blessings, but nobody wants the pain. Trial, and tribulation, bring us the greatest joy we will ever know. Temptation will bless us with the crown of life. What the enemy mean for evil God cause us to receive exceedingly great Joy. Jeremiah had to endure, but it was the faith of Jeremiah that please God, and allow Jeremiah to continue in God. What is God receiving from from you?
psalms 103:9 God will not always accuse us,nor harbor his anger forever.Pray without ceasing forgiveness of your sins we have a Good God who loves us and is merciful. Thank you Father
When we read the Gospel Narratives of Jesus' temptations and trials, of His being hated and harassed and persecuted, and of His at one point being completely given into the hands of the wicked to be mocked, condemned and destroyed; how many of us are able to consider what ALL is actually happening? He came into the world for that reason, to bear witness of the truth; and so does He send us.
For "F" I think of God's FAITHFULNESS
He is forever faithful. Deut. 7:9 says He is the faithful God. Psalm 33:4 says that He is faithful in all He does. And Ps. 89:24 says that His love is faithful. Ps. 145:13 says that the LORD is faithful to all of His promises.
1 Cor. 1:9 says that God is faithful (see also 1 Cor. 10:13. 1 Thess. 5:24 and 2 Thess. 3:3 firms that God is faithful and will keep us and establish us in our life in Christ. Even if we are unfaithful to God, He remains faithful because He cannot deny Himself-
2 Tim. 2:13
1 Peter 4:19 says we can commit our self to our Faithful Creator when we suffer. And 1 Jn. 1:9 says God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. And gloriously in Rev. 19:11 Jesus is called Faithful and True.
So we can depend on God's faithfulness because it is true and trustworthy. It never fails and is never withdrawn or disappears. Nor does it this faithfulness ever deceive us as being unfaithful when He says He is faithful because God cannot be what He is not. Ps. 36:5 and 57:10 say His faithfulness reaches to the skies. It is immeasurably reliable.
Ps. 89:8 says:
"O LORD God of hosts, Who is mighty like You, O LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You." It is part of His glory that comes from His essence. Ps. 117:2 says His faithfulness endures forever.
Is. 25 :1 says
"O LORD, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise Thy name; for Thou hast done wonderful things; Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth." God's faithfulness and truth cannot be separated, they are aspects of His Essence which is not divided up into separate attributes; all His attributes are unified in His One Essential Nature.
Is. 42:3 says that in His faithfulness He will bring forth justice. So true justice comes from His faithfulness to Who He is.
I love Lamentations 3:21-23:
"This I recall to my mind., therefore I have hope. It is of the LORD's mercy that we are not consumed,
(see next post)
1 Peter 5:7 says that we should cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us. Several passages in Psalms discuss God's compassion and or mercy. Romans 9:15 states that He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy; and compassion on whom He will have compassion. Ultimately; of course that involves those who come to saving faith in Christ; but of course for now it rains on the just and the unjust. ( Matthew 5:45). Luke 18:38 shows how Bartimaeus asked for mercy and Christ healed his blindness.
According to Lamentations 3:22 his compassions they fail not; and that is due to His mercy that we are not consumed. The theme there is the destruction of the Babylonians with the horrible famine in particular focus. This verse could be taken as physical survival of the ordeal but also spiritual preservation of the soul. God always preserves a remnant; and God honors His covenants and that is through the remnant that is purged in various trials.
God's Attributes: Covenants
I have discussed covenants in particular focus on the marriage covenant in previous posts. I have given at least an outline of the (imlied) covenant with Adam and the first one in scripture regarding the rainbow and God preserving the world from another global flood; the Abrahamic Covenant; the Mosaic Covenant; and finally the new covenant that Christ has given His people under the blood and how it is even more stringent with thoughts and intentions than the previous one (see Matthew 5:20 on exceeding the righteousness of the Pharisees). I will reinforce the fact that except for the abrogation of the Old Covenant in terms of the law and righeousness for the New under Christ; covenants in God's eyes are eternal; or at least as far as the terms made between men and God or even between men as to the length (in marriage it is until "death do us part" which fits in with 1 Corinthians 7:39.) We are not to take a vow flippantly ( Ecc. 5:4-6).
There is much prophetic scripture in Zechariah; much of which can be directly connected with prophecies in Revelation; as well as with the first coming of Christ. There is the idea of the New Covenant replacing the old one with Israel but never a total abandonment of Israel where God eventually is destined to establish His people in peace and prosperity in the Millennial Kingdom.
Zechariah 1 begins with a description of the earth being at rest (verse 11); but the expected promises of the end of captivity in mind in verse 12. Verse 13 indicates an affirmation of words of comfort to an angel that apparently communicated with Zechariah on these matters. Verses 16 and 17 indicate prosperity to return with the rest of the chapter indicating the "horns" (V. 21) that had scattered the land of Judah.
We need to be mindful of the reasons for the captivity as shown in earlier verses 3 through 6; this is a repeated theme in scriptures; much as Daniel at around the same time would pray in regard to the scattered people (see Daniel 9:1-19). In fact; many prophets begin their books with a review of rebellious acts such as Isaiah 1 where even an ox knows it's master but the people are dumber than animals ( Isaiah 1:3). Ezekiel also talks about the woe of the people being obstinate ( Ezekiel 2:4); and is put into bands to signify the captivity and had to eat food cooked with cow dung (as a concession to protest of human dung in Ezekiel 4:14 (ugh). Finally the last book of the O.T. Malachi also starts discussing poor attitudes among those who are offering sacrifices. Blessings are promised for those who would truly sacrifice with the right attitude (contrasted with Malachi 1:8) in the third chapter from verses 10-18.
The sins of Israel will not be fully removed until the Lord is about to return ( Zech. 12:12-14). Thankfully we cannot thwart HIs eternal plans or we all would be finished. His mercies are renewed daily ( Lamentations 3:22-23).
"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not." ( Lamentations 3:22)
...and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.' ( Deuteronomy 1:31)
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ( Romans 5:8)
The mercy of God and His lovingkindness are something that never pass; or grow old. It is something to daily praise Him for no matter what the circumstances as we know that we shall indeed be in His presence someday; and out of these old bodies whether by Rapture or Resurrection. He has secured us for all eternity. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. ( Psalm 103:12). As believers he has replaced our heart of stone with a heart of flesh ( Ezekiel 36:26). His children are sanctified and inevitably glorified ( Romans 8:30). Whether we consider the Israelites physically delivered from Egypt's bondage to the Promised Land; or our own delivery from the earth to heaven the Spirit seals believers with this "down payment" ( Eph. 1:13).
WORD OF WARNING
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. ( Matt. 5:45).
This verse is related to previous ones speaking of loving our enemies as part of the Sermon on the Mount. Christ shared close ties with Judas Iscariot; according to Psalm 41:9 "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me." The unregenerate enjoy for a time the creation in this life but attribute their blessings to what they consider the "goodness" of their heart; their accomplishments; merits; accolades etc. See Ecclesiastes 8:11 for a warning on delayed judgment; also see Galatians 6:7.
As believers we can truly have Godly sorrow that leads to repentance ( 2 Cor. 7:10). Such is the case with a new believer; but parables such as these show how we should continue as His sheep to live with such a love for our heavenly Father.
The primary point I wish to emphasize here is how a man's heart can harden to the point where a conscience is seared; hence beyond hope (1 Timoty 4:2). This is serious business; and we see it with professing believers and the world alike. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 gives us a list of the unrepentant sins; more specifically lifestyles which will end up with the sinner in hell. When sin happens it needs to be acknowledged as such; a personal offense to God; other people we know and society at large particularly in the categories of sexual sin; or mental and physical attacks on others. The man who covers up his sins ( Proverbs 28:13 will not prosper; therefore the verse states we should confess in order to obtain mercy. Somehow as believers it seems like it is a one time thing many times to ask for mercy; to beg for forgiveness or to seriously consider how tender His mercies truly are.
Consider Lamentations 3:22-23. In the midst of the most harrowing; graphically detailed description of God's city of Jerusalem being overcome by famine; disease and war we see this statement showing that God still holds out mercy; despite most of these calamities being a result of deliberate sins warned against by the prophets for many years. The parable in Luke 15 in regard to the older brother is almost the opposite scenario; someone who has an abundance of material wealth and still complains as to his father's forgiveness of his younger brother. This goes to show that spiritual blessings are not dependant on material wealth; and when we have success financially it isn't necessarily appreciated if we have a godless spiritual existance.
1Peter 5:6-11
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Lamentations 3:22-23
(A really good chapter. God has what you need. John 3:16 Jesus Christ is the answer for all of life's problems.)
22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
I'm praying for you this morning. In Jesus name. Amen.
Put succinctly, I would define it as follows: Mercy is one of God's Attributes, just as Holiness, Truth, Wisdom, Power, etc. are; and Grace is what flows from His Attribute of Mercy, & we as His creation, are the recipients of it. Or, in other words, we could never know experientially God's Mercy if we did not receive it as Grace afforded us.
When we read that God is "a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil" ( Jonah 4:2), we understand that Jonah, in spite of his anger against the LORD for saving Nineveh, he also knew that God was a gracious & merciful God and would be so to him even when he disobediently fled to Tarshish.
I read this verse as Jonah's view & understanding of God's Character: that God was altogether gracious, merciful, patient, kind, & just; but to receive such blessings, they had to emanate from a God Who is a merciful God, and His Mercy would consistently prevail until the need for a warranted immutable justice be delivered by Him.
As Lamentations 3:22 reads, "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not". Both the believer & unbeliever are alive today because a merciful God continues to extend His Mercy to us. This we receive as His Grace (Gk. charis) to live, function & enjoy life that He gives us. But when the day comes when His Mercy is no longer extended to humanity, Grace ceases & His Wrath & Judgement are poured out.
I'd be interested to read how others understand God's Mercy & Grace.
Here are some scriptures on hope, when & if anyone needs it:
Psalms 31:24, Psalms 33:18, Psalms 38:15, Psalms 71:5, Psalms 78:7, Psalms 119:114, Psalms 130:7, Psalms 146:5, Jeremiah 17:7, Ecclesiastes 9:4, Lamentations 3:21-26, Joel 3:16, Romans 5:5, 2Corinthians 1:7,
Psalms 147:11, Romans 12:12, 1Timothy 1:1, Psalms 139, Romans 8:14-39
Romans 15:4, Romans 15:13,
Hope these are encouraging
The important event which I tended to overlook was God's command for Job to pray for his 3 friends (with the youngest one for some reason left out). If he hadn't done this not only their own state would be in peril; but perhaps Job himself would never have gotten over his bitterness and could have ended up much like Jonah. His own restoration was tied into forgiveness toward his friends; a lesson we cannot afford to ignore. Also; of course Job's fortunes were restored even more than before; in both beautiful offspring; and riches. It is interesting that only daughters were mentioned; it would be supposed that something good came from his wife (who knows if she ever repented of her own callous words).
So as to your original question; what was being blamed toward God was really Satan's "machinations". God has predestined all things; even Job and Satan in the time and place these events occurred; for our own edification (as all scripture is God breathed and worthy for instruction; etc. ( 1 Tim. 3:16-17). God tests all His servants to prove that they are overcomers; and to produce fruit. God doesn't willingly afflict man ( Lamentations 3:31-33). He has no pleasure even in the death of the wicked Ezekiel 33:11. He chastises all those He loves ( Heb. 12:6). Let us rejoice in this and trust Satan is a defeated fo
"I was greatly troubled in my groaning. I will bathe my bed and my cover each night with my tears. I have become old in the midst of all my enemies. Depart from me, all you who work at lawlessness, for behold the lord has heard the cry of my weeping and the lord has heard my prayer."
That long, horrible gaze into God's ugly mirror, the image of which becomes clean only through a myriad of flowing tears, and God's infinite grace and mercy.
Psalm 56:8-9
"You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle- are they not in Your book? Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side."
Exegesis on the Soul - Nag Hammadi Scriptures
Psalm 103:1-5
"Praise the lord, O my soul and all that is within me, praise his holy name. My soul, praise God, who forgave all your sins, who healed all your sicknesses, who ransomed your life from death, who crowned you with mercy, who satisfies your longing with good things. Your youth will be renewed like an eagle's."
A great hymn that incorporates the meaning of Lamentations 3 is "How firm a foundation."
1
"How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?"
2
"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand."
3
"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress."
4
"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine."
5
"E'en down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And then, when grey hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne."
6
"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake."
Psalm 90:3, 45:2, 36:7
Lamentations 3:33
Psalm 66:3-66:6
Proverbs 15:11
Psalms 115:16
The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
There may be over a hundred of references. Read these, and if what you seek isn't in these verses; put the phrase "children of men"
[In the SEARCH BOX on the red link page.]
The phrase itself means: humans
May the light shine in our hearts so that the heat flows it from our lives. In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, Amen
John 15:2
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
As Christians grow and begin to bear fruit the Lord purges us so that we may bring forth more fruit.
Once we begin to gain more victory over besetting sins after we are saved then we become prepared for the next step of Christian growth, which is the refiner's fire.
Proverbs 25:4
Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
But the LORD has caused me to remember
"22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
Thank YOU LORD for YOU are Righteous and Faithful and will not cast off for ever. V31
We are in grief however it is not of the LORD'S doing. My Loving GOD has compassion according to the multitude of HIS Mercies. We therefore must not complain for the punishment of our sins.
Because of my transgressions, my enemies and those against my GOD, blaspheme HIS Holy Name and Character. I have given the lost further grounds to mistrust my KING and LORD of my life the LORD JESUS CHRIST. I know that they will receive the recompense according to the work of their hands. They will be covered with sorrow of heart, and cursed, persecuted, and destroyed from the Righteous anger from under the heavens of the LORD.
However, compassionate LORD GOD, thank YOU as YOU bless all who will turn to YOU and give praise and glory unto the LIVING GOD, the anointed ONE - the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Thank YOU FATHER for hearing our cries and blessing all those who call YOU GOD and KING today.
I hope and quietly wait for YOUR appearance in the clouds. YOUR saints await the shout of YOUR VOICE "to come up hither."
Our wait for the LORD should be a "working" while waiting. Reminds me of an gospel song:
"Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;Waiting for the harvest, and and the time of reaping,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves"
"Bringing In the Sheaves" Written By Knowles Shaw; Psalm 126:6
I pray LORD for YOUR intercession regarding Russia/Ukraine. Our President Biden and his administration turns to Your wisdom and lean not unto his own understanding. Praying for comfort and peace unto those who are contemplating abortion; that they find joy and love in Christ Jesus.
Thank You LORD for hearing and answering our cries and supplications.
March 18, 2022
even if we walk in/near death we should not fear because GOD promises to be with us (that trust in HIM) Deuteronomy 31:8, Hebrews 13:5-6, John 14:16-21, Psalm 139:1-24, Psalms 37:40,
The rod; Proverbs 13:24, Job 21:9, Proverbs 29:15, Lamentations 3:1, many times references discipline, correction: Proverbs 22:15, Proverbs 23:14, Proverbs 3:12, Hebrews 12:4-8-11, Staff: Hebrews 11:21, Zechariah 8:4, Exodus 21:19, Numbers 22:27, 2 Samuel 3:29, Judges 6:21
Hopefully these scriptures help you with the HOLY Spirit to understand deeper. John 14:26, James 1:5
1 Corinthians 11:27-32 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Hopefully these you will enjoy. As I don't know if it's exactly what you're looking for, hope these couple are ok:
Psalms 100:1-5 , Psalms 116:1-9 , Psalms 139:1-18
Isaiah 55:1-13 , Isaiah 56:1-7 , Isaiah 58
Lamentations 3:22-31
Matthew 18:19-20 , Matthew 28:20
John 14 , John 15
Hebrews 11:6
James 4:8
1 John 4
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.
Philippians 4:6-7do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Be encouraged. We care about you.
"Every Morning Mercies New"
Every morning mercies new Fall as fresh morning dew;
Every morning let us pay Tribute with the early day;
For Thy mercies, Lord are sure; Thy compassion doth endure.
Still the greatness of Thy love Daily doth our sins remove;
Daily far as east from west, Lifts the burdens from the breast;
Gives unbought, to those who pray, Strength to stand in evil day.
Let our prayers each morn prevail, That these gifts may never fail;
And, as we confess the sin And the tempter's power within,
Feed us with the Bread of Life; Fit us for our daily strife.
As the morning light returns, As the sun with splendor burns,
Teach us still to turn to Thee, Ever blessed Trinity,
With our hands our hearts to raise, In unfailing prayer and praise.
Lamentations 3:20-26
20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassion fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore I hope in him.
25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.