In a Hurry?

With morning’s first light, as the sun climbs over the horizon and heaven turns the page to a new day, God graciously gives us a new beginning.

The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease.  Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.  I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” (Lamentations 3:22-24 (NLT2)  

Is that our first morning thought or even fleeting awareness? All too often, we are immediately immersed in the day’s plans, desires, needs, and demands which leave little room for God-thoughts and appreciation for what our lives are all about.

In the early 90’s, Alabama  released  a number one country hit called “I’m in a Hurry”. The recurring refrain is:  “I’m in a hurry to get things done/Oh I rush and rush until life’s no fun/All I really gotta do is live and die/But I’m in a hurry and don’t know why.”

Frenetic living leaves little room for contemplation of the big picture- that God is working His good purposes for and through us. The Psalmist understood that experiencing God is a process, that he was “the work of (God’s) hands“, and that he could trust God’s promises.

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life …The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” (Psalm 138:7-8)

Are we aware of God’s faithful and merciful work in our lives? Not just when the sun shines but when adverse winds blow and confusing clouds roll in?

And it gets even better! There could be no greater demonstration of that “faithful love” and “unending mercy” than Christ, who sacrificed his life for us, promises not to forsake us, and gives us eternal hope. (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5)

“The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”