April 3, 2022 – Our Daily Bread Devotional || ODB Devotional For Sunday By (Our Daily Bread Ministries)
April 3, 2022 – Our Daily Bread Devotional || ODB Devotional For Sunday By (Our Daily Bread Ministries)Our Daily Bread Devotional 3rd April 2022
TOPIC: God’s Great Love
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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lamentations 3:19–26
KEY VERSE: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. – Lamentations 3:22
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Judges 19–21; Luke 7:31–50
April 3, 2022 – Our Daily Bread Devotional INSIGHT: The book of Lamentations was written in the days following Judah’s tragic defeat and exile to Babylon (586 bc; see Lamentations 1:3). In painful detail, the author attributes horrific national suffering not just to the cruelty of the Babylonian military but to divine wrath that doesn’t sound compassionate or merciful (2:1–4). Yet the prophet’s tears mirrored the heart of God who didn’t enjoy allowing His people to suffer (3:33).
For many years, however, His people had been following other gods while exploiting poor and defenseless neighbors (Isaiah 1:23). God had been patient. But because His people had grown stubbornly cold-hearted in the way they ignored Him and hurt one another, He followed through on His many warnings to them. Yet there was still hope. There would be restoration (Jeremiah 30:1–3; 33:6–9).
READ: April 2, 2022 – Our Daily Bread Devotional – Built Together to Serve
April 3, 2022 – Our Daily Bread Devotional MESSAGE
When a friend asked me to speak with teenage girls at a workshop promoting purity, I declined. As a teenage runaway, I struggled and had decades of scars caused by my immorality. After getting married and losing our first child to a miscarriage, I thought God was punishing me for my past sins.
When I finally surrendered my life to Christ at the age of thirty, I confessed my sins and repented . . . repeatedly. Still, guilt and shame consumed me. How could I share about God’s grace when I couldn’t even bring myself to fully receive the gift of His great love for me? Thankfully, over time, God has abolished the lies that chained me to who I was before I confessed my sins. By His grace, I’ve finally received the forgiveness God had been offering me all along.
God understands our laments over our afflictions and the consequences of our past sins. However, He empowers His people to overcome despair, turn from our sins, and arise with hope in His great “love,” “compassion,” and “faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:19–23). Scripture says that God Himself is our “portion”—our hope and salvation—and we can learn to trust His goodness (vv. 24–26).
Our compassionate Father helps us believe His promises. When we receive the fullness of His great love for us, we can spread the good news about His grace.
READ ALSO: April 1, 2022 – Our Daily Bread Devotional – Witness Marks
April 3rd, 2022 – Our Daily Bread Devotional – Reflect & Pray
When have you felt consumed by your past sins? How has God helped you rest in the sure hope of His immeasurable love and grace?
Compassionate Father, please help me place my hope in the surety of Your great love for me as I spread the good news about Your grace wherever I go.
April 3, 2022 – Our Daily Bread Devotional Today || ODB Devotional For Sunday Message. Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread. our daily bread booklet
