New Every Morning

Last week, I was on a cleaning frenzy. I had friends coming to visit for awhile, and I wanted everything to be in top notch condition when they got here so that I wouldn’t have to worry about cleaning or keeping up with housework while they were here. (Although with two little ones under one roof, the “top notch condition” didn’t last very long.)

As I cleaned, I became increasingly frustrated. I would tackle one portion of the mess and before I could turn around, Leah had created a brand new mess. I’d place something in the dishwasher, and as I closed it, I’d see that Leah had thrown all of her dishes from her play kitchen onto the floor. I’d fold clothes and put them in a basket, only to have her “help” me with the clothes as soon as I paused to put more clothes into the dryer. She’s not a really rambunctious or destructive child; she was just doing what toddlers do.

The frustration turned to gratitude, though, as God opened my eyes to a profound truth. As I vacuumed (again), this is what I heard Him speak into my heart, gently and lovingly:

“Jessica, how do you imagine that I must feel?”

A lump welled in my throat as His words sank in. See, God works to clean up my messes constantly. He redeems my mistakes and forgives my grievous errors as soon as I commit them. Because of His loving faithfulness and the new life I have in Jesus, I can begin each new day with a clean slate. I make a mess, and He cleans it up. He does it because He loves me. I’m not a rambunctious or destructive person, but am just doing what people do. I sin. We all do, and when we do, He is faithful to redeem it. His mercy – like the temporary cleanliness of my house – is new every morning, and though I – and every toddler in the world – immediately begin to destroy it, there’s always tomorrow. And tomorrow, we can start fresh.

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary. But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. (Romans 7:15-20 MSG)