They Are New Every Morning

Good morning. It is Thursday, April 16, 2015.

Today’s Word of the Day is hat trick. (When I use the Merriam-Webster WotD, the link probably goes to the current day’s word, rather than the specific entry.) As a matter of fact, I just realized the the OED link won’t get you to the word on any day other than the day I write this. I will probably stop linking those, just for that reason. Anyway . . . “hat trick” is one that a lot of people will be familiar with. It is a sports term which can mean, “the retiring of three batsmen with three consecutive balls by a bowler in cricket, the scoring of three goals in one game by a single player,” or, “a series of three victories, successes, or related accomplishments.” The last definition could apply to non-sports accomplishments, as well.

Today is Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day. I sometimes think people do that every day. I saw a guy at my work yesterday, wearing shorts which looked a lot like pajama shorts.

They did a “swallow test” on my dad, yesterday, and the result of that is that they are going to put a feeding tube into his stomach today. This, according to my mother, will enable them to release him to the rehab place in Mineral Wells, as they will be able to feed him. The cause of the swallowing issue is, ultimately, the Inclusion Body Myositis, with which he has suffered for many years, now. However, there is hope that the rehab center will be able to work with him to get those muscles working again, so that he can eat again. I suppose that the head trauma from last week may have exacerbated the effects of the disease. The doctor seems to think the feeding tube will be temporary, however, he also said that it could be left in indefinitely, even if he regains the ability to swallow properly. My mother sounded hopeful on the phone last night. They are talking, if the procedure is successful, of releasing him Friday or Saturday. We are selfishly hoping for Saturday.

Both the Red Sox and the Rangers lost horribly, yesterday. The Sox remain in first, with a 6-3 record, while the Rangers sit in fourth, at 4-6. Kansas City finally lost a game.

Christi’s throat continues to hurt, but she currently doesn’t have fever, which is a good thing.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.
Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
Psalm 33:1-3

(From Solid Joys)

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

“God’s mercies are new every morning because each day only has enough mercy in it for that day.”

This is the reason that, when we try to bear tomorrow’s burdens today, we fall into despair and worry. We don’t have to do that. There is no reason to. Yet we constantly find ourselves, as my mother used to say, “borrowing trouble.” “Today’s mercies are for today’s troubles. Tomorrow’s mercies are for tomorrow’s troubles.”

Will we have enough mercy to stand in times of severe testing? Scripture seems to indicate that we will. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. (1 Peter 4:14) We have the promise, that, when we are reviled because of the name of Christ, the Spirit will be upon us. Remember Stephen, as he was stoned. That same Spirit will come to our aid when we are sorely tested.

The children of Israel received manna one day at a time. When they tried to gather too much and save it for the next day, it spoiled. “There was no storing up.” We, too, must depend on the Lord’s mercy in the same way. “You do not receive today the strength to bear tomorrow’s burdens. You are given mercies today for today’s troubles.”

Tomorrow, we are promised new mercies. “They are new every morning.”

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:9

Father, help me to remember this truth! I pray for the realized mercy to know and trust that there will be enough mercy for tomorrow’s troubles when tomorrow gets here. I don’t have to worry about it today. This is probably one of my worst faults. I worry. I struggle with what may happen. I fret over situations that may never occur. Help me to apply today’s mercy for today and let tomorrow’s mercy handle tomorrow.

I pray for this day. I pray for my father’s procedure, today at around noon. I pray for it to go smoothly, and that it will, indeed, facilitate their eventual release from the Arlington hospital, so that they can go back to Mineral Wells, and at least be close to home. I pray for this mercy for my mother, that she will handle one day at a time. I pray for our travel to work today, that it will be safe and smooth. I pray for Christi to feel better today, that her throat would heal, and the coughing subside. I pray for Stephanie, that you would draw her closer to your heart. May you grant Rachel and Justin peace and love, and whatever they need most for this day.

We thank you and praise you that Jacque’s biopsy came back benign. I pray now, for Kevin’s back, that he might get some relief. We also praise you for Brandon’s successful surgery, and that he may now fully recover and go back to work. You have answered prayers, Father, and we are grateful.

When you are tempted to worry about tomorrow, remember that tomorrow will begin with new mercies, enough for tomorrow’s trouble.

Grace and peace, friends.