Sunday Morning Reflections New Mercies in the Midst of the Midnight Hour

 Sunday Morning Devotional: New Mercies in the Midst of the Midnight Hour

Good morning, friends. As the quiet of this Sunday settles over Shreveport, I invite you to join me in a moment of reflection, one that comes from a very real, and recently challenging, place.

Life has a way of throwing unexpected curveballs, often when we least expect them. This past weekend, for me, was a testament to that. What began with the promise of a joyful Sunday coffee and breakfast, filled with laughter and the warmth of family, quickly veered into a series of challenges that left me feeling more than a little "banged up," both physically and emotionally.

Illness struck late last week, leading into a weekend of discomfort and missed plans. Then came the unexpected fall on the porch, leaving me with a concussion and various scrapes. Just when I thought the night couldn't bring more, an early morning call, deep in the quiet hours, revealed a loved one's fall and their raw, vulnerable fear of being alone. And amidst it all, concerns for another family member's health added a significant layer of worry.

In moments like these, when you're feeling sick, physically vulnerable, and perhaps a touch lonely in the quiet of the night, it’s easy for the weight of it all to feel overwhelming. Sleep is elusive, discomfort is constant, and the world can feel a bit darker. You might find yourself asking, "Where is the comfort in this?"

But it is precisely in these "midnight hours" that the enduring truth of God's Word shines brightest. It’s a lamp in the darkness, a gentle whisper of reassurance when the world feels loud with worry.

A Word for Our Weary Souls:

As I navigated those long, early morning stretches, my mind clung to a passage that speaks directly to these times. I want to share it with you now, from the book of Lamentations, chapter 3, verses 22-23:

"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 3:22-23)

Reflection and Reassurance:

Consider those words: "New every morning." No matter how difficult the night has been – whether marked by physical pain, emotional distress, or the heavy burden of caregiving – God's mercies are not depleted. They are fresh and new with every dawn, a promise that His faithfulness is unwavering.

This passage is a powerful reassurance when dealing with the unexpected turns of life: the demands of caregiving for loved ones, personal health setbacks, and the emotional weight of those we cherish. It tells us that we are not forgotten, not abandoned, and that strength and comfort are available. This strength doesn't come from our own reserves, which can feel utterly empty, but from an unwavering, divine love that is constant and steadfast.

Carrying This Truth Forward:

So, as we embrace this new Sunday morning, I invite you to carry the echo of this truth with you. Even when we're down, sick, lonely, and vulnerable, the Word of God endures and reassures us. It reminds us that with every new morning, there is new mercy, a fresh opportunity to lean into a love that never ceases.

May your Sunday be filled with a quiet peace, sustained by the steadfast love and new mercies that greet us each new day.