The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases...

We are having our second snowfall in a week! It is so beautiful and unusual for our part of the country. It is like a blanket of peace upon our house.

The last of the 4 boys came down with the flu today. Our oldest came down with it last Tuesday and we have been steadily working our way through each of them until this morning my 7 year old woke up with fever. It has been exhausting, yet as always God's grace has been ever present to help. It is such a unique time when you have been nursing sick children for a week. I think about the women who have gone before me and sat by sick beds for much longer than what I am doing. I think about their faith and perseverance. I think about my friend Amy who stood by her daughter's side through suffering and death. I am grateful for the example of faithful mothers who care for their children.

A few days before the flu came to our house I was remembering that THE STEADFAST LOVE OF THE LORD NEVER CEASES. I kept thinking that phrase over and over and finally looked up the passage in Lamentations 3:21-24,

"But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him."

How did Jeremiah (the author of Lamentations)call this to mind. How did he know that amidst suffering God's love was steadfast? Well, I think he knew it because he knew the law of God. If you read Deuteronomy 5:1-21, right in the midst of the 10 commandments you find where Jeremiah got his hope. The Lord promises to show steadfast love to those who love him, even while he is bringing judgement on those who hate him.

How blessed we are to have the example of those who have gone before us and the word to dwell upon.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.

Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 1

Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?

A. That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death, am not my own, but belong to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ, who with His precious blood has fully satisfied for all my sins, and redeemed me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that all things must work together for my salvation. Wherefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live unto Him.