By F. D. Adkins
In a previous post, at the beginning of January, I assessed my goals for 2024, stating that I did not want to be just white noise this year. I want to focus on fulfilling God’s purpose for creating me. I do not want to live out this year by repeating the same cycle as last year. I want to look back and see the evidence that I aspired to grow and be more like Christ, letting others see Christ through my words and actions.
In doing this, one of the items on my to-do list this year is to memorize more scripture. As I shared on social media a few days ago, challenging others to join me in storing God’s Words in our hearts, I started with a blank journal and wrote down as many verses as I could, being careful to only write the verses that I knew verbatim. I did not want to record the gist or a summary. I believe that if we do not memorize word for word, in time, we may come to misunderstand or misquote its meaning.
And now that I have the verses I know on paper, I plan (and hope you will too) to add at least one new verse each week to that journal, and most importantly to our hearts, arming ourselves with TRUTH.
My verse(s) for this past week was Lamentations 3:22-23. It is my personal preference to use the King James Version. “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.”
How wonderful it is that the Lord’s mercies are new every morning. Yesterday may have been filled with heartache, or yesterday may have had its share of mistakes. But the good news is that because of our merciful Father, we can face today with Him beside us. Because of His mercy, we can start anew and be forgiven of yesterday’s shortcomings.
I am reminded of Peter. Jesus told Peter that Satan was requesting him. (Note: an example of how the devil cannot do anything to one of God’s children without God allowing it.)
“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:” Luke 22:31 KJV
Then Jesus continues by stating that He is praying for Peter. But not only is He praying for Peter, but Jesus confirms that Peter will return to Him. He tells Him when He comes back to “strengthen the brethren.”
“But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Luke 22:32 KJV
But, at the time, Peter did not think He could fall to temptation.
“And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.” Luke 22:33 KJV
Of course, we know that Peter did deny Christ three times, but as Jesus already foretold, Peter returned. (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. Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV)
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23 KJV
Praise the Lord that His mercies are new every morning.
