New Mercies Every Morning! Without Exception!
Moments Etched On My Heart
Barbara L’Italien, Guest Writer
TODAY’S TREASURE
This verse has more recently become a special promise from God that has been etched on my heart. Sometimes when I would read God’s Word and journal, I would chase words in a Bible verse through the dictionary to get a deeper impression of what was being said. Here is an example using today’s Daily Treasure verse:
Because - by reason of, on account of
Love - strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties
Not - one of the most common words we use to indicate negation
(Negation) - the contradiction or denial of something
Consumed - to destroy or expend by use; use up. To eat or drink up; devour
Compassion - means “to suffer together.” Among emotion researchers, it is defined as the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another's suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering. Compassion is not the same as empathy or altruism, though the concepts are related.
Never - at no time
Fail - to not succeed in what you are trying to achieve or are expected to do
New - fresh, novel, and original. What is freshly made and unused, what has not been known before, or what has not been experienced before
Every - being each individual or part of a group without exception
Morning – The first part of the day
Faithfulness - Faithfulness comes from a place of trust and loyalty.
Now, when I read this verse, I see it this way:
On account of God’s elaborate, detailed love for me, and His personal ties with me, I will not, I can not be destroyed or devoured by this pain I am feeling. He suffers with me, He understands me, and He will at no time fail me. His mercies are fresh as if never seen before, and without exception each morning, as my feet touch the ground and I start my day, I know He is trustworthy and loyal and will be by my side, even carry me if needed.
Some say God will not give you more than you can handle. I have also heard it said that God doesn’t give us what we can handle; He helps us handle what we are given. I believe the latter to be true.
Personal pain can seem debilitating. A sudden loss, a near-fatal car crash, a child fighting for their life, months of waiting for what will be. But… On account of God’s elaborate, detailed love for me, and His personal ties with me, I will not, I can not be destroyed or devoured by this pain I am feeling. He suffers with me, He understands me, and He will at no time fail me. His mercies are fresh as if never seen before, and without exception each morning, as my feet touch the ground and I start my day, I know He is trustworthy and loyal and will be by my side, even carry me if needed. And tomorrow, if given to me, will be no different.
Lamentations 3:22-23 are verses I will always treasure as a “moment etched on my heart.”
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
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Being committed to reading the Bible on a consistent, daily basis can be hard. I believe journaling helps build consistency. The time reading God’s Word can become more personal when we engage in a written conversation with God, writing our thoughts down about what we are learning in a simple notebook. There are times I have read the same few verses over and over because I knew there was more for me to learn from those few verses. Do you spend time with God daily? Do you journal? What verses have been special moments where God has etched a treasured gift from His Word on your heart?
Are there other women in your life who could benefit from a daily dose of encouragement? Forward this email so they can click on this link to Subscribe to Daily Treasure to be better equipped to walk by faith on the pathway God has marked out for them.
Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.