My God and My Country

Word of God

Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God

Matthew 4:4

The Book of Lamentations 3:22-23

Study notes by Matthew Henry and John Gill

Edited/Prefaced by Doktor Riktor Von Zhades

22 It is the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are renewed every morning: great is thy faithfulness

Brethren:

This morning while this writer was in prayer and meditation with our Creator a thought was impressed upon me which was the scripture quoted above. Indeed His compassion, mercy and faithfulness is renewed daily, for we sin daily. Yet He casts us not aside but instead lifts us up to renew ourselves in order that we might show our walk and our works to be worthy of that compassion. For the blood of Christ has covered our sins, yet we sin still, even in the smallest of things. However our Mediator intercedes for us for He is not ashamed to call us brethren. (Read Hebrews 2:11; 11:16) - Dr. R.V.Z

“That God’s compassions fail not; they do not really fail, no, not even when in anger he seems to have shut up his tender mercies. These rivers of mercy run fully and constantly, but never run dry. No; they are new every morning; every morning we have fresh instances of God’s compassion towards us; he visits us with them every morning (Read Job 7:11-18); every morning does he bring his judgment to light, (Read Zephaniah. 3:5). When our comforts fail, yet God’s compassions do not.

That great is his faithfulness. Though the covenant seemed to be broken, they owned that it still continued in full force; and, though Jerusalem be in ruins, the truth of the Lord endures for ever. Note, Whatever hard things we suffer, we must never entertain any hard thoughts of God, but must still be ready to own that he is both kind and faithful.” - Matthew Henry Theologian

“That is, the tender mercies or compassions of God are, which prove that they fail not; there are instances of them every day, not only in a temporal, but in a spiritual sense; they are ever new, always fresh and vigorous, constant and perpetual; such are the love, grace, and mercy of God, though of old, yet daily renewed in the manifestations thereof; and which make a morning of spiritual light, joy, and comfort; and whenever it is morning with the saints, they have new discoveries of the love of God to them; and these indeed are a bright morning to them, a morning without clouds; great [is] thy faithfulness; some render it ‘thy faith concerning thee’ this is a great grace, it is the gift of God, the operation of his Spirit, and to exercise it is a great thing; to this purpose is Jarchi's note;

‘great is thy promise, and a great thing it is to believe in thee, that it shall be performed, and that thou wilt observe or keep what thou hast promised to us;’

but the attribute of God's faithfulness is rather meant; which is another reason why the people of God are not consumed, since that never fails; God is faithful to himself, and cannot deny himself; he is faithful to his counsels and purposes, which shall be truly accomplished; and to his covenant and promises, which shall be fulfilled; and to his Son, the surety and Saviour of his people.”

John Gill Theologian