"Not Consumed"

August 31, 2010

“Not Consumed”

Blessings Folk!

Was praying this morning with a group of men.
We meet every Tuesday...have for years.

Pray for these men.
The decisions that they make every day effect literally thousands of people.
They want the heart of God.
They want to do what the Lord desires.

During our time together this morning a portion of the Word crossed my mind.
One verse is very familiar.
The verse before it less so.

I was particularly struck as I read from a version different from that which I memorized.

Here is the New American Standard translation…


Lam 3:21-26
21 This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope.
22 The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, or His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
24 "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him."
25 The Lord is good to those who await for Him, To the person who seeks Him.
26 It is good that he awaits silently for the salvation of the Lord .
NASU

We have discussed in the past the glorious truth that our hope is in the Lord.
We can recall this.
We know that the lovingkindness of the Lord never ceases
His compassions never fail.
The Lord is our portion.
The Lord is our hope.
The Lord is good to those who await for Him.

Now, take a moment and read again...from a different translation...

Lam 3:21-26
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22 It is of the Lord 's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord .
KJV

Did something leap out at you like it did to me?

Look at verse 22.

It is by the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed.

The NASB states that “the Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease.”
True.

But, that understanding that it is by the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed is a profound thought.

We need not be consumed by anything…

  • doubt
  • fear
  • hatred
  • depression
  • bitterness
  • envy
  • etc. etc.

The mercy of the Lord is with us.
The mercy of the Lord keeps us from receiving what we truly deserve...death, ultimate consuming.

A couple of other versions…

Lam 3:22
22 Because of the Lord 's faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end.
(from Holman Christian Standard Bible® Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005 by Holman Bible Publishers.)

Lam 3:27
22 Because of the Lord 's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
NIV

So adhere to this truth.

It is the mercy and love of the Lord that has protected us from receiving what we deserve.

It is the mercy and love of the Lord that will protect from that which seeks to consume us.

The mercy and love of the Lord are new every morning.
He is never failing.
He is always faithful.

He loves you.

Blessings!