Why God’s Mercy Never Fails Us

Why God’s Faithfulness Never Fails Us:

It’s a feeling we all know too well: the weight of our own shortcomings. We strive for good, we aim for righteousness, yet time and again, we find ourselves falling short. It’s a truth that the Apostle Paul articulated so clearly in Romans 3:10-18, drawing from ancient wisdom:

“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, all have become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

A grim assessment, isn’t it? It paints a picture of humanity far removed from God’s ideal, a constant turning away, a deep-seated resistance. Paul further emphasizes this in Romans 10:21, lamenting over his own people, saying, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and gainsaying people.” This isn’t just a historical observation; it’s a timeless description of the human condition, our tendency to stray and disobey.

Given this stark reality of human sinfulness, how is it that we are not utterly consumed? How can there be any hope for us? The answer lies not in our merit, but in the unfathomable character of God, beautifully expressed in Lamentations 3:22-23:

“It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

Think about the profound truth contained in these verses. Despite our persistent disobedience, despite the deep-rooted sin that Paul describes, God’s mercy is the very reason we still breathe, still have opportunities, and still experience His goodness. It’s not because we’ve suddenly become worthy or earned His favor. It is solely of the LORD’S mercies.

His compassions fail not. This isn’t a fleeting emotion, but an unchanging attribute of God. Even when we are at our worst, His compassion for His creation remains steadfast. He doesn’t abandon us in our brokenness; instead, His compassion draws Him towards us.

They are new every morning. This is perhaps one of the most comforting truths in all of scripture. Every single sunrise brings with it a fresh outpouring of God’s mercy. No matter how much we messed up yesterday, no matter how far we feel we’ve fallen, God’s reservoir of grace is never depleted. It’s renewed, just for us, each new day. It’s as if He’s saying, “Let’s try again. I’m still here, and my love for you is unwavering.”

Great is thy faithfulness. This encapsulates it all. God’s faithfulness isn’t contingent on our performance. It’s an inherent part of who He is. He remains faithful even when we are faithless. His promises stand, His character is unwavering, and His love endures, not because we are good, but because He is good.

So, as we navigate our lives, acutely aware of our human frailties and the truths spoken in Romans, let us cling to the glorious declaration of Lamentations. Our hope, our very existence, is a testament to God’s incredible mercy. He doesn’t hold our past sins against us each new day. Instead, He offers a clean slate, fresh compassion, and unwavering faithfulness.

Let that truth wash over you today. You are not consumed because of His mercies. They are new to you this very morning. And that, my friends, is a grace worth celebrating.