Lamentations 3:22-23 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

We have trouble grasping the magnitude of what Jeremiah was going through when he wrote this. Only those who have been through the devastation of war and famine could have any real empathy with him. However, everyone has low moments, and in the general self-centeredness of depression it’s easy to feel like our problems are worse than those of anyone else. Because of that trick of human nature, this passage is important for everyone to remember. Only those who forget the truth that Jeremiah records here go so far as to commit suicide. The thing is, God never changes but we do. That’s why Jeremiah could write that God’s mercies are “new every morning:” our perception and reception of them is renewed. The song, I Go to the Rock, is very good in this area. Pulling from many different Scriptures it expresses what any believer can and should do when things seem to be falling apart. Written by Dottie Rambo, it is certainly worth learning, and singing to yourself as often as necessary! Actually, Scripture set to music is a wonderful blessing in just about any situation. This passage from Lamentations is beautifully set to music, and there are countless more. There is no better protection against the troubles we all experience (John 16:33) than filling our minds and hearts with the Word of God, and music is a marvelous tool for doing that.

I was incredibly blessed to be raised in a home of faith and music. Some of my best memories of growing up are of singing praise to God, particularly as a family, gathered around the piano or just riding in the car together. I have also had many times of personal deep fellowship with the Lord as I have sung by myself, or simply had lyrics run through my mind and heart. Handel’s Messiah is marvelous in this respect, since the lyrics are almost entirely Scripture. The King James translation can seem archaic, but the marvelous music drives the truth home in spite of that. I feel greatly blessed and honored to have translated many songs in both directions between English and Japanese, because I know from experience that music can make truth stick with us, when otherwise we are all too prone to forget it. However, I must be careful that I allow those lyrics to soak into me and not treat them as just performance, because then they would do me no good.

Father, thank You indeed for music, and for this past year. May the year to come be a demonstration of Your grace, power, and glory so that many will repent and believe for their salvation. Thank You. Hallelujah!