A Devotional on "Great is Thy Faithfulness" by Alisha Gratehouse

How do you overcome discouragement, disappointment, anxiety, overwhelm, and even depression?

You change your perspective. You stop focusing on the problems and instead look to the One who is bigger than any problem, test, or trial.

Each of us must learn to intentionally fill our thoughts with the Greater One—the Faithful One. And then, as an act of faith, sing praises to Him!

I’ll be the first to admit that my eyes tend to glaze over when reading the book of Lamentations. But the prophet Jeremiah teaches us a simple, yet vital, lesson. He poured out his heart in the midst of profound sorrow, as the city of Jerusalem lay in ruins and the people were in exile.

And yet, sandwiched in the middle of his lament, he wrote:

“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.” ~ Lamentations 3:21-25

We live in a world brimming with opportunities to become discouraged, disheartened, and even depressed. Tragedies, scandals, and countless woes flood our newsfeeds, and if we’re not careful, the “weight of the world” will prey upon our souls.

Not to mention the tests, trials, and everyday difficulties we each face—our own personal fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12).

But as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we cannot afford to allow ourselves to sink into despair. We must be a light in the darkness. A beacon of hope to the world.

This simple lesson from Lamentations is something I’ve practiced for decades. Yes, I get discouraged and feel “down” at times—but I also know how to lift myself back up again.

Want to know how?

Simply do what Jeremiah did:

1. Remember who you are—and Whose you are.

“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope…”

Remind yourself that you are a child of the Most High God. He is not deaf to your cries, petitions, or prayers. He is Abba Father. He loves you, cares for you, provides for you, protects you, and heals you. (Romans 8:15; 1 John 3:1; 1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:19; Psalm 91; 1 Peter 2:24)

2. Praise Him for His faithfulness in your life.

“…his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.”

His compassion, tender mercies, and love for you never fail and never end. In fact, the NLT says, “His mercies begin afresh each morning.” Thank Him for every time He has been faithful to you and your family.

But don’t stop there—move from thanksgiving into praise. How? Start with the beautiful refrain of this timeless hymn. Sing it aloud (or quietly to yourself):

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Now pause and check in with your heart. Can you feel the shift taking place? Has your perspective begun to lift? If not, keep singing. I promise you: as you magnify the Lord and praise Him for His faithfulness in your life, you will begin to feel lighter and more joyful.

And faith will rise within your heart—knowing that He will always be faithful and always come through for you.

3. Continue to seek and wait on Him for the answer to your prayer.

“The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.”

This reminds me of what David wrote in Psalm 27:14: “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

But what does it really mean to “wait on the Lord”? It’s not passive waiting, like sitting in a doctor’s office or waiting somewhere else for an appointment. In Hebrew, the word qavah means “to eagerly look for, hope for, and expect.”

If you’re seeking the Lord in prayer, meditating on His Word, and actively expecting His provision in your life, then your heart and your faith will be strengthened.

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, and ten thousand beside.

So, the next time you feel sad, discouraged, or are facing a test that seems insurmountable, sing this hymn. Remind yourself that you have a faithful Father. As an act of faith, praise Him for always being faithful to you. And then—expect Him to be just as He has always been:

Faithful.

As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

Bio: Alisha Gratehouse is an artist, minister’s wife, and veteran homeschool mom of three young adults. She is passionate about nurturing creativity and bringing the joy of art to others.

In 2014, she began her company, Masterpiece Society, to provide a high-quality art education for homeschool families—blending both art expression and appreciation. From classical techniques to mixed media projects, Masterpiece Society offers a complete curriculum that helps kids and teens explore their creativity, master multiple art mediums, and develop a lifelong love for art.

Alisha also owns Awaken to Delight, home of Charlotte Mason Morning Time, a “done-for-you” curriculum designed to simplify homeschool planning and infuse each day with beauty including, art, handicrafts, nature study, tea times, book clubs, and more!