Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Tender and Tough Mercies For Each Day

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:34

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21-23
Jesus' words in Matthew imply that just as God ordains new mercies for each day, He ordains new troubles for each day. I am learning that those troubles are part of the mercies that Jeremiah speaks of, mercies of a different sort than those I want. They are tough mercies rather than tender ones, but mercies still, as this verse from an old hymn so greatly expresses:
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
-Day by Day, Karolina W. Sandell-Berg
Father, thank You for Your peculiar love. Enable me to embrace with greater joy the strange and wonderful love of a sovereign God. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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