The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
LAMENTATIONS 3:22–23 ESV
The Lord’s mercies are new every morning. As the sun rises, it lights up the tops of the mountains, and as it climbs higher in the sky, it shines upon the just and the unjust alike. Even on cloudy days and stormy days, the skies lighten. The temperature rises. Nocturnal animals bed down to sleep. Animals that are active at dawn come out. Creatures that prefer the daylight come alive, seeking food and water. Plants soak up the sun and produce oxygen through photosynthesis. The earth is alive.
God gives us a new day as well, a fresh opportunity to obey, to serve, to be faithful to what He has called us to do. We have all known days that bruised us. We’ve all had days when we failed. We’ve all had times when we fell short of who we wanted to be, of what God asked of us. We are grateful when night comes and we can close our eyes on those days! Even then, God is with us. David wrote, “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 63:6–7). What a comforting image that is, to be in the shadow of God’s wings.
How gracious God is to forgive us and to give us another day. When we are weary, another day may not feel like a gift. But Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of this new day You have made. Please help me to stay close to You today.