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OUR FOREVER FAITHFUL FATHER" "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail notThey are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him." (Lamentations 3:22-24)These are some of the sweetest words found in Scripture. Every Christian should commit them to memory. Many times, when that ole father of all lies has had me pinned against the wall, I would quote these verses and remind the Lord of what He promised. And it's not because he forgot them, it's because I wanted both of us to know that I haven't forgot them.Now, the book of Lamentations is Jeremiah's woeful song about the destruction of Jerusalem. What was once the joy of the whole earth, became a smoldering pile of rubbish and ruin. The roads would no longer be full of joyful pilgrims heading to the appointed feasts of the LORD. The priests would no longer offer the daily sacrifices.Their world as they once knew it had come to a sad end because of their insistence on idolatry. Even the remnant that remained in the land rejected the warning of Jeremiah and went galloping off to Egypt where they offered incense and baked cakes to the Queen of Heaven. Many scholars believe the remnant finally killed Jeremiah in Egypt for constantly warning them about impending judgment.In the midst of Jeremiah's song of sorrow, he reminds us that even though all seems lost it is only because of the Lord's great love that we are not consumed. The creatures are rebelling and insulting the One who made them and who carefully laid out guidelines for their good.I find it amazing that God doesn't instantly vaporize us or zap us with a taser gun with His finger already on the trigger! But folks, His compassions never fail. Every morning His compassion is renewed, encouraging us that we will turn back and restore our relationship with Him. Could there be any one more faithful God? Why would we turn to any other? Why would a Child of God head back to Egypt where sin's slavery awaits them when the Scripture's promise an abundant life found in Jesus Christ?Jeremiah declared that His portion, his inheritance, his appointed part in life, was the Lord. He wasn't looking for wealth or power or fame. He just wanted the Lord. Therefore, he determined to wait in expectation and hope in Him. He wasn't looking for anything in this life as a goal. The Lord was his goal.Friends, in this dark world that's filled with out and out deceit, division, and degradation, may our song continue be one of the Lord's faithfulness. Never forget this: God cannot and will not change. He cannot be anything other than who He is. Out of His love and His promises, you and I are His treasured children. Therefore, God's faithfulness has been the foundation of His dealings with humanity throughout time. May we continue to rejoice in that Truth!