I was looking through the C.O.G.I.C. Hymnal the other day because one of the hymns has become one of my favorites to sing, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." The verse it's based on is Lamentations 3:22-23 which says, (CEV) "The LORD's kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. The LORD can always be trusted to show mercy every morning." While reading that, I thought to myself why not read the whole chapter, and I did. When I got to verses 39-40, it said this, "We're still alive! We shouldn't complain when we are being punished for our sins. Instead, we should think about the way we are living, and turn back to the Lord." That'll preach.
We sing a song, or used to sing a song, that says, "God's not dead. He's yet alive!" People would shout on that. Here's something else you can shout on: You're not dead. You're yet alive! What am I trying to say? God could've took you out in your sin, but you're still here. So while you're breathing, you have another chance to "turn back to the LORD." Then you can sing the third verse of "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" which says, "Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth. Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide. Strength for today and bright hopes for tomorrow - Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside!"
Another song I love, that is also based out of Lamentations chapter 3, says, "As I look back over my life I can see how Your love is guiding me. Even though I've done wrong you've never left me alone, but you forgave me, and your kept on blessing. This I recall to my mind therefore I have hope. It's because of Your mercies that we are not consumed. Because thy compassions fail not, they are new ever morning. Great is thy faithfulness."
Now sometimes you're not being punished for your sins. You're going through tests and trials, but you're still living. So you still got a a reason to shout. Psalm 150:6 says (CEV), "Let every living creature praise the LORD. Should praises to the LORD!" I heard my pastor say this. He said, "Death is just a doorway for the saints." That's true, but what if you're not a saint? Then death is a doorway to eternal torment. So while you're breathing, "think about the way you're living and turn back to the LORD."
Stay Saved,
Daniel Richerson
