Lamentations 3:22 (ESV)
²²  The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;

The book of Lamentations is a book of poetic writings, written by the prophet Jeremiah around the time of the fall of Jerusalem (586 B.C.).  While Jeremiah is the “weeping” prophet who accurately depicted the sad conditions of Jerusalem during that time, there are glimmers of hope for Israel scattered throughout the book.  Lamentations 3:22 is one of those glimmers of hope.

The Jews were reaping what they had sown by their disobedience to God.  Nevertheless, He did not leave them alone.  Yes, He punished them for their unfaithfulness, but it was not a display of a lack of affection, but a demonstration of love.  As the Hebrews writer wrote, “For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives” (Hebrews 12:6).  What the Jews now needed to realize was that their punishment was not permanent.  If they turn back to Him, He would show them mercy because His steadfast love never ceases.

It is inspiring to know that God loves us every day.  Sometimes we are disobedient to Him just like His people of old, and when we are, He, through various means, disciplines us.  Still, we know that His mercy never comes to an end.  If we repent, He will welcome us back with open arms.  The parable of the prodigal son teaches us that God is looking over the horizon, waiting for us to come back home so He can embrace us and rejoice (Luke 15:11-27).

Because God’s love never ceases, we know that no matter what is going on in the world, He is with us, and He will continue to provide for our needs because that is what fathers do.

Matthew 7:7-11 (ESV)
⁷  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸  For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. ⁹  Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? ¹¹  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

More important than our physical needs are the spiritual needs that are provided for us in Christ.  The steadfast love of God assures us that these spiritual needs will always be met as long as we maintain our fellowship with our Father by faithful living.  Constant access to God through the power of prayer is ours forever (Hebrews 4:15-16).  Having an advocate by our side, to help us when we sin, is a daily benefit that we enjoy as we navigate the trials and temptations of everyday life (1 John 2:1).  Having everything we need for life and godliness is a promise we can rely upon continually because the love of God never fails.

In the physical realm, there are things we take for granted.  We know that the sun is going to rise every day.  We know that Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall will come around every year.  We do not doubt these things because experience has taught us that they are unchangeable.  We should feel the same way about the things God provides for us spiritually.   We should never doubt them, for it is not just experience that teaches us that they are reliable, but the Word of God as well, reminding us of the steadfast love of God that make them possible.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.