This devotional on God’s faithfulness looks at a promise written in the middle of ruin, not comfort. Jeremiah’s lament declares, “his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22–23, ESV). Even on hard days, you can choose to remember God’s steadfast love and hope in him.
Key Verse
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”” (Lamentations 3:22–24, ESV)
Hope From the Rubble
Lamentations is a book of grief, written after Jerusalem was destroyed. The writer describes hunger, loss, and feeling abandoned. The famous words about God’s mercies are not found in a happy book. They sit right in the center of a lament, which means they were written by someone who knew deep pain.
But This I Call to Mind
Just before our key verses, the writer says, But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope. His circumstances had not changed. What changed was what he chose to remember. He called to mind God’s character: steadfast love that never ceases, mercies that never end. Faithfulness is not a feeling we generate. It is a truth about God we choose to recall.
New Every Morning
His mercies are new every morning. Not yesterday’s leftovers, but fresh mercy for today’s needs. If you are worn out by grief, regret, or a long struggle, God has mercy for this specific day. The LORD is my portion. When other things are lost, God himself remains enough. Therefore I will hope in him. If your sorrow feels too heavy to carry, please reach out to someone you trust, and in the U.S. you can call or text 988 anytime.
Today, Try This
Write down three specific ways God has been faithful to you in the past. Tomorrow morning, read them aloud and thank him for new mercy for that day.
Reflection Question
What truth about God do you need to call to mind today when your circumstances feel heavy?
Prayer
Lord, your steadfast love never ceases and your mercies never come to an end. Thank you for new mercy this morning. Be my portion when other things fall away, and help me hope in you. Great is your faithfulness. Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ‘his mercies are new every morning’ mean?
Lamentations 3:22–23 (ESV) teaches that God’s mercies never run out; each day brings fresh compassion for that day’s needs. It was written amid Jerusalem’s destruction, so it is a hope that holds even in grief, grounded in God’s faithfulness. Each day brings fresh mercy for that day’s needs.
What does the Bible say about God’s faithfulness?
Scripture repeatedly declares that God keeps his promises and never abandons his people. Lamentations 3:23 (ESV) says, “great is your faithfulness.” Deuteronomy 7:9, 2 Timothy 2:13, and 1 Corinthians 1:9 also affirm that God remains faithful even when we are not.
Who wrote Lamentations?
Lamentations does not name its author, but Jewish and Christian tradition has long attributed it to the prophet Jeremiah. It was written after the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in 586 B.C., mourning the city’s fall while holding on to God’s steadfast love.
Keep Reading
- Explore more: Bible verses about faith
- Read more daily devotionals
- The narrow way: what the narrow gate means (Matthew 7:13-14)
- Related: our Bible study: Inspirational Bible Verses to Lift Your Heart
- Related: Devotional on Silence With God (devotional)