Lamentations 3:21-23 - 21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

This is the first time the book of Lamentations where hope is allowed. Having sunk low in his soul Jeremiah now remembered something that started hope within. This is a magnificent expression of faith in the unfailing mercies of God, the writer looks to the distant future with renewed hope.

One of the things Jeremiah remembered was that as beat down and defeated the people of Jerusalem and Judah were, they were not yet completely consumed. There was still a remnant, and remnant with a promise of restoration. Wherever God leaves life, He leaves hope. Jeremiah seems to say, 'Bad as my case is, it might have been worse, for I might have been consumed, and I should have been consumed if the Lord's compassions had failed.'" (Spurgeon)

Even in the severity of correction God's people endured, there was evidence of His compassions. There was rich comfort in realizing that the tender affection of God was not completely spent; these compassions were new every morning. The passage is full of beauty, as it deals with that tender compassion of God which had never been absent even in the work of punishment.

Each dawning day gives mankind hope in fresh mercies and compassions from God. We need a constant supply and God has promised to send them without fail. No matter how bad the past day was, God's people can look to the new morning with faith and hope. These mercies are always new because they come from God.

·Every morning ends the night.
·Every morning brings a new day.
·Every morning brings new provision for the day.
·Every morning brings new forgiveness for new sins.
·Every morning brings new strength for new temptations, duties, and trials.

All this made Jeremiah consider the great faithfulness of God; that He never fails in sending His mercies and compassions. Even in their catastrophe, God was faithful. He faithfully announced His judgments and performed them, and God would prove to be just as faithful in His promised restoration. The prophet addressed him personally and directly: 'Great is your faithfulness'. In the process of remembering God's attributes, Jeremiah was drawn back into living fellowship and intimate communion with his faithful God.

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.

Refrain:
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided-
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime 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,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow-
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!