Great is Thy Faithfulness
Posted on April 23, 2018 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters
I love when God shows up with those special moments where you know that you have received a word from Him. I have called them “kissed by God” moments.
Welcome my brothers to this new week of Freedom Fighters. We are privileged to be a part of your lives and thank you for opening our emails, reading them on the blog – and in fact – some of you even forward them to your friends.
When I was writing this particular blog entry, I was coming off of one of those weeks when the ministry was tough, emotions were ragged, and I was feeling depleted.
I try not to post much on social media personally, but I do try to post a Scripture verse every morning, and lately, I have been posting an old hymn. As I am waking, I read some Scripture on my phone app, YouVersion.
On this particular day, the verses were from the obscure, not-so-often-preached-from book of Lamentations. You know the verses:
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:22-24
Isn’t it just like God to give us this daily reminder?
His mercy is so amazing that we are not “consumed.” In reading through the Old Testament this year, God wiped out people for their disobedience. Look at Annas and Sapphira in the early church. Wow!!!
His compassion NEVER fails. Not sometimes. Not based on how He’s feeling today. Never! Never! Never! What love is that!!!
His mercies are NEW every morning! Count up how many days you have lived since you the day you were saved. If you only received one mercy a day – how many mercies have you received? But he doesn’t say His mercy is new every morning. He says HIS MERCIES!
He is faithful EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!
And because of that you and I have HOPE!!!
The hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness” was written by Thomas Obadiah Chisholm. He struggled for years with physical ups and downs in his life. He had difficulty figuring out what he wanted to do with his life. But he ended up becoming a Methodist Pastor and lived till age 94. He retired in our backyard in the Methodist Home in Ocean Grove, NJ.
It was during one of those seasons of ups and downs that he penned the words to this hymn:
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee.
Thou changest not; Thy compassions, they fail not.
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Summer and winter, spring-time and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide.
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow —
Blessings all mine with ten thousand besides.
Refrain
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hands have provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Take a few moments and reflect on this One who is faithful! Loving! Write down several ways that He has recently shown you His new mercies.
Overflowing and abounding with hope,
Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick
Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 11 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.
The Daily Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 1-2|You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here
Think About This: Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace. —Jerry Bridges
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope. Psalm 119:49
Want to get away & have dedicated time to read & learn God’s Word?
Consider a retreat at America’s Keswick retreat center.
