Yet there is one ray of hope: his compassion never ends. It is only the Lord’s mercies that have kept us from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his loving-kindness begins afresh each day. My soul claims the Lord as my inheritance; therefore I will hope in him. The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for him, to those who seek for him. It is good both to hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
This is a tough day…the Second Day. If you have ever experienced the death of a loved one, you know what I mean. The First Day…the day of death, there is something of an “adrenaline rush” – and not in a good way, of course. You find yourself caught up in all of the emotions that surround the actual passing…the release of the person to the angels…the anguish and heartache in the realization that he/she is really gone…the sudden “to-do list” of things that must be addressed.
On the Second Day, we have time to actually unpack all that has happened. Reality sets in, and we are truly heartbroken for all that has happened. So on this day, as we ponder what happened to Jesus on the “First Day,” we are saddened by everything…the agony of His torture and crucifixion…the helplessness we feel that He had to suffer this way…the shame of knowing that it was all done for us. And as the title of this Bible chapter implies, we lament.
But hear the GOOD NEWS of these verses. There is a ray of hope…Jesus’ compassion truly never ends. His faithfulness is great…his mercies and loving-kindness are new every day. If we seek Jesus, we will find Him…even on the Second Day. He will show up in ways we never expected and remind us that all was accomplished because of His profound, inexplicable, unconditional love for each of us.
So as we endure this Second Day, let us remember that Jesus’ plan is “in the works.” He has something in store for each of us…and it is more than we could ever imagine. OUR JOB is to pay attention…to remain hopeful…to keep the faith. The Third Day is coming!
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| Photo Credit: Lee Smith |
And so I take Him at His word. I revel in the beauty of these bright red flowers and remind myself that because of the First Day – and the Second – there will be a Third Day. And when Jesus’ earthly plans for me are accomplished, I will not only see my loved ones again, but I will get to meet Him face-to-face and revel in His glory forever and ever.
There is a ray of hope…Jesus’ compassion NEVER ends! How blessed are we who know and love Him…and how eternally grateful for this amazing gift! On this “Second Day,” may you feel His love, experience His presence, and know His hope.
©2016 Debbie Robus
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