How To Avoid a Train Wreck

“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.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”(Lamentations 3:22-24)

Many years ago there was a young man who wanted a job as a signalman for the railroad. For his interview, he was told to meet the inspector at the signal box. The inspector asked him, “What would you do if you realized that two trains were heading toward each other on the same track?” The young man said, “That’s easy. I would simply switch the points for one of the trains.” “The inspector then asked, “What if the lever broke?” The young man said, “Then I’d jump down out of the signal box and I’d use the manual lever over there.” Next, the inspector said, “What if the lever had been struck by lightning?” The young man said, “Then, I would run to the signal box and phone the next signal box to let them know what was happening.” The inspector continued on, “What if the phone was out of order?” The young man said, “Well, in that case, I would rush down out of the signal box and use the public phone at the crossing up there.” Then, the inspector said, “What would you do if the public phone had been vandalized?” The young man said, “Oh, well, then I would run into town and get my uncle.” That answer puzzled the inspector. So, he asked, “Why would you go get your uncle?” The young man answered, “That’s simple - because he’s never seen a train crash before.”

I wonder how many people wake up in the morning expecting their day to be nothing more than a train wreck? For some, life feels like two trains headed directly toward each other and it seems as if there is nothing they can do to stop it from happening. The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel is always a train coming from the other direction. Many people live with an abiding spirit of discouragement that keeps them off track in every area of their life. There is a better way to live.

The verses above were written by a man who knew a great deal about discouragement. In fact it was probably the single most defining characteristic of his ministry. Jeremiah is often referred to as the weeping prophet. He ministered during some of the darkest moments in Israel’s history, and perhaps therefore had good reason for his discouragement. The book of Lamentations is an account of the dismay he experienced when God’s punishment fell upon Israel. The entire book is so depressing that very few spend much time in it. In his preceding book Jeremiah tried to get the children of Israel back on track by repenting of their idolatry and other sins, and return to whole-hearted worship of the Lord. Yet in spite of Jeremiah’s best efforts, Israel fails to respond properly by repenting. The predicted train wreck happens. The Babylonians invade and totally destroy the city. Those that weren’t killed were either left homeless or taken captive as slaves back to Babylon. It truly was one of the saddest moments in the history of Israel. In Lamentations, Jeremiah weeps over the utter destruction and devastation of Jerusalem. Yet in the midst of this heartbreaking book, there shines this brilliant gem of hope in the verses above.

In these verses Jeremiah calls us to remember three things whenever our lives get off-track:

1. Remember the nature of God. Great is your faithfulness. God is faithful. He is 100% reliable, 100% of the time. He does not fail, forget, falter, change, or disappoint. He says what He means and means what He says and always does everything He says He will do. He is compassionate and kind. His steadfast love never ceases. In the midst of his heartache and confusion, Jeremiah decides to lift his eyes heavenward and he remembers who God is. Now remember, everywhere this man looks there is nothing but rubble and ruin. Yet the light of God’s love penetrates even there. You might be feeling as if you are headed towards a crash today. Take the first step in avoiding it by remembering the faithfulness of God.

2. Remember the extent of His mercy. The verse says, “His mercies never fail.” The mercy of God is inexhaustible. No matter how many times we need forgiveness, God is willing to flood our spirits with his grace. And His supply is infinite. No matter how off course you might presently be, you are not so distant that his grace can not find you. What is it that has got you off-track in your walk with the Lord? Is it loneliness? Discouragement? Apathy? Anger? Hidden sin? God’s mercy and grace is greater than any problem you are facing. Surrender it to the Lord and discover how His mercy never fails.

3. Remember His mercies are fresh every day. The verse says, “They are new every morning.” Why does Jeremiah remind us that His mercy is fresh every morning? If I had written the verse I would have said, “They are new every evening.” After we go through a day and fall short of living up to God’s expectations – we might anticipate needing mercy in the evening. “God forgive us for the areas we’ve failed today.” OK, but catch this - In the evening, when we ask for mercy - will God grant it? Of course he will. But Jeremiah says, “It’s in the morning hours that God really wants to provide a fresh supply of his love. In the morning hours, as you wake up, begin to anticipate God’s blessing throughout the day. You don’t have to live on yesterday’s blessings! In the morning, (every morning) you can look forward to a fresh, new supply of love, grace and faithfulness flowing into your life.” Don’t wake up in the morning with the expectation of another train wreck. Face each day anticipating the moments when God will remind you of his great love for you. God doesn’t dispense “day old, stale” grace. A fresh supply of strength is yours simply for the asking!

Most train wrecks in our personal life are not accidents. They happen because we don’t respond properly when we realize we’re headed in the wrong direction. Thank God for his great faithfulness towards us and his mercies which are new every morning.

Yours for His Glory,

PT