"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions [mercies] never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Mornings are hard! Many mornings, I wake up barely able to walk to the bathroom, desperate to take my meds, sit down with a cup of coffee and wait until the pain and stiffness ease. And, every morning it's the same. No surprises, nothing new—the same routine day in and day out.

But, God has prepared something special, something specific for each new day even in the midst of our routinely difficult mornings. Mercies! Not just one mercy, but mercies. And, not the same mercies as yesterday … new mercies each and every morning.

The Lord proves His faithfulness to be great—greater than what we know. The word "great" comes from a Hebrew word meaning manifold or multiplied by myriads. In other words, God's love provides to us new mercies every morning because His faithfulness is manifold and multiplied by myriads.

It reminds me of another scripture: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…" (Ephesians 3:20). It's His exceedingly immeasurable greatness that makes new mercies available to us every day, even when we're struggling with pain of chronic illness, more than we can ask or imagine.

I'm so thankful the Lord isn't like our everyday pain and stiffness. He gives NEW mercies proving His utter faithfulness resulting from His great love. Today's mercies will not be tomorrow's mercies. Today's compassion toward us will never become routine. Each new day contains new compassions—new mercies.

Did you happen to notice any new mercies today? Look for them … be aware of and thank the Lord for each new mercy He has extended toward you from His incredibly compassionate love.

Oh Lord, teach me to find new mercies for each new day. Teach me to exalt in Your great love and compassion toward me. Thank You, Father, for the greatness of Your faithfulness toward me. Amen!

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© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Note:  As a way of acknowledging "National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week," this week's devotions will be of a nature that will encourage anyone who either suffers with or knows someone who suffers with an invisible chronic illness. You are encouraged to forward this week's devotions to anyone you know who might find encouragement as they deal with the pain and emotional burden associated with invisible chronic illness.