or, HOW TO FIND FRESH GRACE
22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
Holiday break is over. You’re back at work. Kids are back in school.
And your old problems are back as well.
Is 2014 looking suspiciously like a repeat of 2013?
Where are those new mercies God promised to bring every morning?
Granted, “new mercies” is old news. “His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” was written by the prophet Jeremiah around 575 B.C. to a people heavy with sorrow at the destruction of Jerusalem (Lamentations 3:22-23).
In your own lifetime, maybe you’ve read that verse dozens of times. Maybe you’ve heard it so often that you tune it out now.
The old can become stale.
Until the hunger becomes fresh . . .
How can we receive God’s grace in new ways for our old situations?
1. ASK FOR IT
Begin by asking for fresh grace (Matthew 7:7). Search your heart to distinguish your needs, then lay your requests before the Lord. God delights in giving good gifts to His children and will honor your dependence upon Him.
2. PAY ATTENTION
Once you’ve asked, watch to see how God will answer. His response might not come packaged as you’d expect, so keep eyes and ears open to new ways He may be revealing His mercies to you. Anticipate the unexpected (Ephesians 3:20).
3. GIVE MERCY YOURSELF
Could you be jamming up God’s mercy by refusing to pass it along (Matthew 5:7)? If you’ve become too self-consumed, find another who could use your help. Don’t be surprised at how quickly God’s grace can flow through you to them, healing your own hurts in the process.
4. REFRAME YOUR STORY
If you’ve grown deaf to God’s grace in your life, seek out a fellow believer who can remind you of His goodness you may be overlooking (Proverbs 19:20). Listening to another’s perspective on your story can be enlightening.
5. BELIEVE DIFFERENTLY
Could your expectations be out of whack? Take time to realign your expectations with what God actually promises (Isaiah 41:10). Sometimes we need reminders of the deeper gifts. Believe differently and see if new mercies become uncovered.
6. WAIT. WAIT. WAIT.
In the end, remember it’s not up to you to earn your grace; it’s a gift God gives because of who He is, not because of what you do. Trust that He will be faithful; find rest in His steadfast love for you (Deuteronomy 7:9).
Even though you may still feel stuck with the same old problems, you’re never the same old you. Every day you’re being transformed more into the image of Your Creator (2 Corinthians 3:18). Every day is different from the last, and you’ve never experienced God in this day in this exact way before.
Receive His mercies as new in this day, in this moment.
It’s grace at its freshest.
Have you brought old problems into the new year? How have you seen fresh grace for them? Who helps you reframe your story?
Please share your thoughts in the comments.
“Until the hunger becomes fresh.” That’s powerful. It isn’t until we’re fed up with failing that we strive in spirit… only then does the body come in line with His will. I’ll be thinking on this one… Thanks.
I totally agree with you, Floyd. Keeping our appetites properly aligned can be a tricky thing. When I intake too much junk from inconsequential things, I find I’m not hungry for the good stuff, the God stuff. But it’s only His nourishment that satisfies…. Thanks for stopping by.
opening my hands, my heart and my spirit to receive a fresh flow of grace!
thank you!
Good point–we certainly can’t receive his grace well with clinched fists. Thanks for giving us the imagery of opening up; that’s helpful. I’m picturing a flower bud unfolding…
What an encouraging post! Really enjoyed reading this, very needed as I’ve been feeling wore out with this new year and all it’s old problems. God is working but I need to stop limiting how I want the answers to come. He is imaginative and knows what’s best.
In that, I can rejoice!
Yes! When I think back to all the imaginative ways He’s worked in my life, I can rejoice too. If things had gone the way *we* each thought was best–what a mess we’d be in now.
Old problems into a new year…. well you heard how I rang in the last of the year and started off this year. Yes they are the same… Matt’s health issues… my hurting heart…my own issues. I am claiming the verse you shared in Lamentations I need God’s Grace in New Ways for old situations that continue on. Crying tears of hope and praying for this in the new year.
Praying it with you and for you too, Katie. I know the Lord hears your cries and has good plans for your future. Keep looking for that fresh grace, sweet friend!
You know, #2 is a pretty important one to put after #1 (for more than just numerical sense). We ask, but then we need to keep our eyes open and aware for His presence.
All of these tips are great and needed. And, yes to the importance of community, too! Another great post, Lisa.
Thanks, Caroline. You’d think we’d do # 2 naturally–look for the answers–but I think about the story of the believers praying for Peter’s release from prison, and then being shocked when he actually showed up. I would have been one of the shocked ones too, I’m afraid. I want to live more expectantly.