IT IS OF THE LORD’S MERCIES
“It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Lamentations 3:22
On the 6th of April on the Lord’s Day in the morning service, I hoped to preach one message on the above said text. The reason being to continue on Joseph’s series the following Sunday. As I began to expound this Text, I felt in the providence of God that I need to preach a few messages on this portion of God’s Word. Hence this message is to be continued the following Lord’s Day.
The Text Lamentations 3:22 is part of what has gone before and what follows. As the Church remembers God’s Great Faithfulness here at Wattisham Baptist Chapel for the last two hundred and sixty two years, we can say indeed it is of the LORD’S mercies. The name LORD (Jehovah) is used in the book of Lamentations more than any other name for God. In fact thirty one times the name LORD is used in five chapters of the book. God’s people in the face of so much devastation and destruction were comforted to know that these mercies are of the LORD who by his very name is the Covenant Redeemer God. The word “mercies” in this text is in plural. The Hebrew word used for mercy is khesed, which speaks of God’s great love, loving-kindness, steadfast love and unfailing love. The LORD’ mercies to His people are His covenant mercies.
In the face of all what the Babylonians did (Just mentioning a few references 2-Kings 25:1-12; Jeremiah 52 and read all the book of Lamentations) Jeremiah by the Grace of God was able to say: It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.”
The LORD caused Jeremiah to think and remember His Covenant mercies which was the reason behind this that he could say “…that we are not consumed…” Two important things to note from this phrase “We are not consumed” and paying closer attention would do good to our souls. The word “we” means the remnant of God’s people. Judah sinned and did not take heed after so many warnings. Jeremiah tells us that (1:5, 8, 18) because of the multitude of her transgressions, iniquities and rebellion, she had gone into captivity. God is Sovereign and would not let the seed of the king David be obliterated because Christ the Messiah was yet to come from the royal family line of the king David. The Messiah was to come in the fullness of time to be our Saviour who is Christ, the Lord. Jesus is The Messiah! Then this phrase “…are not consumed.” This means: have not been consumed. The word consumed (Hebrew tamam) meant finished or ended. The LORD kept a little remnant of his people. The Lord always keeps his little remnant. He still does and will do until the glorious appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the Church’s comforter, helper, instructor through the Holy Word of God, the Holy Bible of sixty six books only. Thank God! now the Church of Christ, and as Christian pilgrims we live in between the two Comings of the Lord Jesus Christ. The First Coming has already taken place and now the Church of Christ looks forward the Second Coming of Christ in Glory. By Grace we have been saved and it is by Grace and through Grace that the Lord leads His Church. He leads us as the Good, the Chief and the Living Shepherd of his flock. (Psalm 23; John 10 and the rest of all Scriptures for our learning) The last hymn which was sung in our evening service last Sunday is well known and I quote the opening words and the rest of hymn my readers can read themselves:
“THE Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation by water and the Word;
From heaven He came and sought her, to be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died…..”
Note from Pastor Elisha John Masih written online. Please excuse if you find any grammatical mistake.
Dated 8.4.25
