Promise in the Prophets 263: Compassion will not Fail

263. Compassions will not Fail

Lamentations 3:22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

Lamentations is 5 chapters of serious and terrible wailing over the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. In the middle of the book, however, is a bright spot of positive hope and joyful expression. In the face of devastating judgment, God is still merciful and compassionate. It is God’s mercies that prevent total consumption. Without mercy it would have been worse. We deserved the judgment for we have been unfaithful, but undeserved mercy keeps the Lord from completely wiping us out.

Then the promise comes: the Lord’s compassions fail not. God loves us, yes, but we didn’t know He loved us that much. No matter how bad it gets, it could always have been worse. Evil, if left alone without restraint, wants to make a complete end of all life and good. Because of sin God allows Satan to go so far, but He finally limits him at some point. God will have compassion on His children. Because of compassion, He protects and delivers from evil; because of compassion, He uses evil and works it out for good; because of compassion, He will not let “bad things” destroy us; because of compassion, He makes good things and blessings come our way; because of compassion, He sent the Son to be our Savior.

The promise is this: the compassion of God will not fail. Compassion will not fail in its mission. Compassion’s mission is to save, deliver, rescue, restore, redeem, bless, give life and love and peace and joy, and much more. God’s love will do what love does. It looks out for another and accomplishes for him or her what he or she needs for emotional health and mental and physical wellbeing. Compassion compels God to do the good and right things for those He loves, because unconditional and total love is the essential character of God. Compassion is the emotional and practical action expressing His love; and it will happen; it cannot fail. So, no matter how bad things may seem to be presently, Jesus never fails. He promises. He will do it.