God’s Unfailing Love

Have you ever faced a loss so awful that you knew, as the writer of Lamentations did, that it could never be forgotten? A loss so jarring it changed your outlook, your family, your future? If you have, and you chose to turn to God instead of away from Him, you had the blessing of seeing His mercies that begin afresh each morning.

I trusted God at a young age, and I have grown in Him since my teen years. Through most of my adult life, I have known God best as my protector and provider. And I thought I knew Him well. Then I experienced an awful grief.

In 2007, my brother was killed. He was struck by a car while riding his bicycle with a group in a charity ride for people with brain injuries. He was a forty-nine-year-old devoted husband and father. In my loss, I struggled to find ways to comfort my mom and dad, my brother’s wife, and his three children. As I cried—and cried out to God—I soon was flooded with more of who God is than I ever could have envisioned.

Simultaneously, I was experiencing His comfort (see 2 Corinthians 1:3-5) and compassion (see Psalm 145:8-9). I was surrounded by God’s peace (see Philippians 4:7). I even knew of His rest (see Matthew 11:28-30) in this time of sleepless nights. God came to me in my hurt in continuous, overwhelming waves of mercy.

When God meets one of His children in her place of pain and suffering, it should come as no surprise. He has promised to be with us in trouble (see Psalm 91:15). He is there waiting for His child to turn to Him, to receive His faithful love, rather than feel alone and abandoned in her time of grief.

God’s Word assures, “For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though he bring grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love” (Lamentations 3:31-32, nlt).

Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise of eternal life in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You that You are the God of comfort, compassion, peace, rest, grace, and love, as well as protection and provision. In You I have hope. May I always turn to You. In Your name, amen.