Our Lord's Compassions Never Fail

OUR LORD’S COMPASSIONS NEVER FAIL (Outline)

June 22, 2008 --

PENTECOST 6 --

Lamentations 3:22-33

INTRO: The title, Lamentations, also defines the theme of this book of the Bible. In the title Lamentations we have the word lament. Lament = alas, woe is me. One could easily say that at this time in the history of the world and at this time in the history of Israel there were many reasons to lament. Wholesale slaughter and destruction came upon Israel’s kings, princes, prophets, priests, elders, and all people. Woe is me. We lament. The cream of the crop of the Jewish nation was taken as prisoners to live in a foreign land as slaves and prisoners. Woe, we lament. Jerusalem was in ruins. The temple was destroyed. The place of worship and way of worship of God’s people was gone. Woe, woe, we lament. During the siege of Jerusalem mothers even began to eat their own children. Everyone laments. In the midst of doom and gloom and laments the Lord is still merciful, filled with compassion. "The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness’" (JEREMIAH 31:3). (Some feel Jeremiah is the author of Lamentations.) We consider today’s theme:

OUR LORD’S COMPASSIONS NEVER FAIL.

I. Every morning the Lord’s compassions are new.

II. Every morning our Lord’s compassions do continue.

I. EVERY MORNING THE LORD’S COMPASSIONS ARE NEW

A. Lamentations is arranged as an acrostic poem. Each chapter contains 22 verses chapter 3 has 66.

1. The Hebrew alphabet has 22 letters. Each verse begins with successive letters of the alphabet.

2. Chap. 3 repeats the Hebrew alphabet 3 times. Each verse also repeats its same starting letter.

B. Chapter 3:1 is the exact center of the book of Lamentations. Chapter 3 is the high point of this book.

1. Verse 22. The “Lord’s great love” is his mercy. God’s mercy means much more than love.

2. God’s mercy endures and his compassions never fail. God’s people were not destroyed.

C. The author wants God’s people to realize that every single morning God was always, always faithful.

1. Even in the midst of their lamentable lives God was still good to them. Verse 23.

2. Without the Lord they had nothing. Verse 24. The Lord is always their hope no matter what.

D. It is my prayer today that none of us would ever have to endure such a life of lament that we might come to our senses in order to understand and appreciate the love, mercy, and compassion of the Lord. Each one of us, at one time or another has probably received some bad news that literally takes our breath away. We ask, “WHAT!” We are astounded, amazed, and dumbfounded. We may walk around in a fog for a number of hours or even days. Cancer, unexpected death, and guilty are only a few words that can weaken our knees. God’s compassions never fail. "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever"(PSALM 73:25,26). In weakness God is the strength of our hearts. God is our portion/hope.

E. Though we may not always realize it God’s mercies are new every morning. We will want to wake up each day knowing, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!” This attitude seems easier when life is sailing along calmly. In the storms of life our Lord’s compassions never fail. Every morning we will want to have that joyful attitude. In God’s church you can discover the Lord’s mercies "The LORD within her is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he dispenses his justice, and every new day he does not fail, yet the unrighteous know no shame" (ZEPHANIAH 3:5). The world carries on concerned only about themselves. The Lord is concerned about you.

F. Every morning the Lord, our Lord’s mercies are new. Why is our Lord so concerned about us in our insignificant lives? Why does the Lord care for us and about us when we do not always care about or for God? The Lord God Almighty has created us. God gave us a soul. Our Lord wants all men to be saved and to come a knowledge of the truth. Our Lord’s compassions for us are eternal. "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation"(ISAIAH 12:2). Eternity is far more important than anything earthly.

OUR LORD’S COMPASSIONS NEVER FAIL.

Every morning our Lord’s mercies are new.

II. EVERY DAY OUR LORD’S COMPASSIONS DO CONTINUE