Morning by Morning New Mercies I See
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
Have you ever had a tough night where your mind raced and pondered all the trouble and issues confronting you? You toss and turn and then speak to God in your restlessness; then you finally fall asleep. And when you wake, you have a sense of peace: a new awareness that God will preserve and keep you through the storm of life.
The timeless and popular hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, was adapted in 1923 from a poem by Thomas O. Chisolm and set to music by William N. Runyan in Baldwin, Kansas. The hymn has become one of protestant American Christianity’s most beloved melodies. It is one of my favorites because of the lyric line: ‘morning by morning new mercies I see’.
Each of us really does live day to day based upon the daily mercies of God our Heavenly Father. With every new sunrise and with new breath in our lungs, we know we are alive and able to face the day. The troubles of life don’t leave us, but we are sustained and given new resources from God to cope with the new day at hand.
Finding our daily mercies from God takes some participation on our part. We have to arise from bed, put our feet upon the floor and try once more to succeed at life. Often God hides our daily mercies like Easter eggs. We have to comb the scriptures in devotion or sit still and listen for that ‘still small voice inside us’ that gives us our inclination for the day. The new mercy may be a call from a long lost friend or colleague who has a new opportunity to share with you. It may come in the form of a hug and affirmation from a spouse or child.
God’s daily mercies are His joy for us. Claiming our daily mercies and blessings makes life more hopeful, even in the midst of sorry and tragedy. God’s love and compassion for us never fail. His mercy for us is limitless and in new supply each new morning. Our call is to be faithful enough to know it is there for us; claim it, then find it in the routine of life.
Great is Thy faithfulness! Alleluia!
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Refrain
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Refrain
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!