the morning sun has risen upon us,
to shine on us, we who live in darkness...”
-from Morning Prayer, the Canticle (Luke 1:78,79)
Slipping across a low cloud bank like the quiet smile of God, or splashing the clouds with glory, the sun always “comes up,” or to be scientifically accurate, the earth continues on its course, path steady, rotation unwavering.
I've never give it much thought, but my life rests on the unchanging certainty of this continuing pattern. Any wobble would result in calamity, any wandering would be a game-changer...game over, the end of life as any of us have known it. Although we never think about it, our life is completely dependent upon this reality -the world hangs steady in the universe.
If I oversleep (not much chance of that with Youngest Mystery's alarm clock honking through my dreams in the early darkness)...but if I would happen to oversleep, I might miss seeing the sunrise, but it would still happen, because it doesn't depend on me. I depend on it!
But this truth pales next to the wonder of a greater promise:
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
Oh, to unpack this truth and carry it through each day:
The steadfast love – lovingkindness, unfailing love- this is what we all want, an unfailing, steadfast love in a world that is fickle and self-serving, and characterized by unkindness and, all too often,hatred.
of the Lord -the One, this One, Creator of heaven and earth, infinite One ever concerned with the finite.
never – no exception clause, no fine print, just this word, never.
ceases – never stops, never runs out, never goes away, is never “all gone.”
His mercies – His compassion. “The word pictures a deep, kindly sympathy and sorrow felt for another who has been struck with affliction or misfortune accompanied with a desire to relieve the suffering.” (Key Word Study Bible, OT #7355) It is not that God is stuck with us or simply puts up with us, but He continues to move toward us in loving kindness.
never - again no qualifying (or disqualifying!!) terms
come to an end – run out, get depleted or used up or exhausted
They are new- fresh, filled, in full supply!
Every morning – every single day, not five days of seven with the weekend off when we have to run on what's left over...
Fortunately, this truth like the sunrise, is not dependent on me. But oh how deeply I depend on the complete trustworthiness of His involvement in my life. This promise is a place where I can lean with my full weight knowing that He is utterly reliable, steady as...the sunrise.
May every sunrise be a reminder
of the certainty of God's mercy in fresh supply
every morning.
For you.