“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 (ESV)
At a party last month, I stood beside the festively decorated table, balancing a decorative plate piled high with finger foods and sweets, and listened to the hopeful conversations around me.
The main topic was the upcoming new year and the goals people hoped to achieve. I listened as they talked of workout routines, detox specials, and “life-changing” reads. People were either cutting something out (bad habits, social media, or toxic relationships) or adding something in (more gratitude, more nature, more downtime, or more kindness).
Regardless of their goals, everyone was waiting until the new year to start fresh. And it made sense; a do-over sounded good.
Cue the “New year, new you!” banner here.
Later that night, I processed my own plans for the new year. Was I going to omit or add things? Before long, my grand list of to-dos for the “new me” was not feeling so grand. I dramatically fluffed my pillow and was ready to continue my aimless tossing and turning when a forgotten truth burst through my grumbling tangle of thoughts:
His mercies are new every morning.
My body instantly stilled. Did I hear that right? I waited two breaths more before scrambling to grab my Bible and search for the words that hung heavy in the air.
“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).
What words of hope to cling to! Words first proclaimed over God’s people when they had gone astray in a big way and were reaping the heartbreaking consequences.
But even then, the Lord’s compassion was ever present. Even then, He offered His mercy. Why? Because they belonged to Him … just as you and I belong to Him.
My heart exhaled in relief. I didn’t need to wait for the start of a new year, a new season, or even a new week to pursue a fresh start. And I definitely didn’t need to quit in shame if my fresh start needed another restart. I belong to the Lord! He is my fresh start every morning.
Friends, when we belong to God, we have the privilege to seek His mercy at any time (Hebrews 4:16). There are no strings attached. Our heavenly Father simply invites us to begin again … with Him. And with Him is what makes all the difference.
With Him, we are not alone.
With Him, our strength is renewed.
With Him, our restarts and redos are redeemed!
So whether we find ourselves needing to add in more good things or cut out the bad, with Him, we can feel hopeful for this new year because we have a gracious and merciful Lord.
Heavenly Father, we are humbled by Your unending love and mercy for us. We praise Your holy name. Realign our steps to Yours every morning, and embolden our hearts to trust You fully in this new year. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Theology 101 is in full swing! But there’s still time to join this two-week journey through God’s Word. Each day, you’ll spend a few minutes reflecting on Scripture and applying truth to your life. The First 5 app makes it easy to stay on track with daily reminders, community conversations, and scriptural insights. Whether you’re on your morning commute or enjoying a quiet moment at home, you can meet God in His Word and see your faith grow deeper. Download the app today, and join other women who are pursuing a stronger, more confident faith.
Is one of your New Year’s goals to spend more time with Jesus? If so, we’ve put together a short guide to help with your devotion time. The 21-Day Invitation: Steps to Reconnect with God includes:
Daily devotions with key verses and questions to help you process and pray through what you’re learning.
Tips on how to have consistent time to connect with God.
A bonus guide on how to pray through Scripture.
Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (ESV).
Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (ESV).
Prayerfully bring your New Year’s resolutions and hopes before the Lord. How does His promise of mercy in Lamentations 3:22-23 encourage you in your endeavors?
We’d love to hear from you. Share with us in the comments today!
© 2026 by Corrie Gerbatz. All rights reserved.
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