“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

Life is filled with change. Every second of the day change is occurring in and around us. Sometimes this change takes the form of death, and other times it takes the form of life. Just as the seasons change, our life is promised to undergo change.

Although some handle change better than others, all humans will at some point experience the struggle that it may bring. Change in the form of trials can have a way of creating a chain reaction that will either strengthen the individual or cause them to crumble. Although everything on this earth is undergoing some display of change, specifically in the form of life or death, humans are given the choice to cling to one thing alone…the unchanging love of God. It is his love that gives us the ability to run from death into the arms of life.

So often, the temptation is to cling to something that is guaranteed to change. Many people will cling to possessions, relationships, achievements, or even money. And yet, we are clearly told that these things will fade, fall apart, and ultimately disappear. Possessions may be burned, relationships may die, achievements may grow old with age, and money will keep being spent. The truth of the matter is that we are unable to rely on anything other than the love of God. It is his love that has given us the gifts of mercy and grace. It is the beautiful dichotomy of life and death that allows us to drink in the overwhelming grandness of God’s love. Without experiencing the one, we would not be able to fully appreciate the other.

Although many may wish for a perfect and struggle free life, the struggle is what allows us to really experience life. As I have personally undergone the ebb and flow of all that life has to offer, I have realized that God’s mercies are truly new every morning. In the midst of seeming defeat, He has not left the believer defeated. In the midst of pain and sorrow, He has not left peace and joy unattainable. In the midst of confusion and insecurity, He has not left us without an anchor. In the midst of sickness and disease, He has not left us without a cure. In the midst of a world that is dying, He has not left us without the option of life. His mercies surround us in the midst of the sunshine and the rain. He is faithful. Our wavering faith is the only thing that gets in the way of fully abiding in this truth. Our pride and selfishness may fog our view of his generosity, but when the fog lifts and the sun is revealed, the promise of his love still shines brightly for us to see. In the midst of our storms and dry seasons, may we never forget the promise of his unchanging love. And when the elements of this life threaten to destroy every shred of hope that we may have in that love, may we dwell on the moments that He has proven faithful. May the remembrance of salvation draw us to a place of resting in his peace…for He does not disappoint. His mercies are new every morning, and great is his faithfulness unto me.