We Are Not Consumed

"Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23

According to an online dictionary (dictionary.com) the word lament means "to feel, show, or express grief, sorrow, or regret."  It also means "to mourn deeply."  We all may go through times of deep mourning, sorrow, or regret.  Yet, because of God's mercy "we are not consumed."  At times we may feel overwhelmed by sorrow. We may cry out to God, feeling crushed by despair.  But, we are not consumed.  His mercies are new every morning.

Several years ago I cried out to God from the depths of my despair.  I entertained the thought that God hated me because of my failures.  In the torment of my guilt and fear, I cried out to God for mercy.

A short time later I visited a church I had never been to before.  When I entered the sanctuary I was immediately welcomed by the most sweet, gentle, loving presence I had ever known in my life.  As I entered into worship I wept as God's presence came over me.

At the end of the service I responded to the altar call, where I knelt and wept deeply.  A man and a woman ministered to me, telling me how much God loved me.

That morning I was restored in the presence of the Lord.  In the midst of my sins and failures I was not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning.  Great is His faithfulness.