EVERY DAY NEW


"Give me liberty or give me death," was the phrase that contributed in putting Patrick Henry in history books. He made another statement that appears in a number of quotation collections. He said, "I know of no way of judging the future but by the past."

Repeat this before an audience and you'll see many heads nod in agreement. It has the ring of good common sense. However, some caution needs to be taken here. Be careful, this axiom might be true when applied to politics or history or investment strategies, but it provides a lousy foundation for developing relationships. And it certainly doesn't reflect the way God relates to us.

God gives individuals a chance to let go of the past and start over — each and every day. Jeremiah wrote, "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)

God doesn't judge our future by our past. He didn't do it with Moses or David or Peter or Paul or countless other Bible characters. What’s more, He does not do it with you and me. Psalm 103:10 tells us, “He does not treat us as our sins deserve.”  With the LORD, every day is a new day.

A good way to begin each day with God is to remember that you've just been given brand new mercies — another chance to start the day with a clean slate. It's also a good way to start the day with others. God doesn't allow your past to prevent you from a having a great future, so let's give the same gift to others.

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