I attended a fun-fair when I was little. My parents gave a stall owner some money and they gave me hoops the size of my palm. If I land three hoops on three cans, I win a prize. All the hoops I threw missed the target. That day, I won nothing. I was very disappointed. At that time, I wished the stall owner would continue to give me hoops that I can throw until I win a prize. “It is a cruel world, there is no second chance,” I thought. But God is different.

New Mercies for Israelites

About 2500 years ago, Jeremiah wrote the Book of Lamentations to the Old Testament Israelites. They were suffering extreme pain at the hands of the then world superpower Babylon (present Irag) for the great sins they committed against God. The suffering and hunger were so acute that mothers even boiled their children for food (Lam 4:10). What hope could there be for tomorrow and the future? Their sin and its consequences were great. Would God give them another chance? The Oppression of the enemy was excruciating. Could they survive past today? Yet in the face of sin and failure of the Israelites, and in the face of the overwhelming cruelty and power of the enemies, there was a bright hope for the Israelites because

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lam 3:22-23).

As long as you are willing to look up to God, he will give you another “hoop” to throw until you win a prize. You may fail today, but that is not the end. Tomorrow, God gives another portion of brand new grace and strength that you may make another attempt to win in life.

New Mercies for You

You may have failed God, both in small and big things. You can be sure that those things displease God. However, your kind heavenly Father will not be angry for a long time—come the next morning and you receive a fresh portion of mercies and grace. Hence, return to Him with your whole heart. Ask Him to forgive you and He will restore you as He did to the prodigal son.

You may foresee a rough ride ahead. It can come from your work, family, health or anywhere. But God’s mercies are new every morning—He will give a new portion of grace to you every morning that is sufficient for that day. It may be a roller-coaster ride but hang in there—it will be an exciting one. Hence, look up to the Lord and walk close to Him. May you have a grace and mercy filled New Year.