“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

As a Christian teacher at a public school, my responsibilities, passion, and focus go deeper than merely teaching my students academic principles. Though I am not able to verbally share my faith at school, my hope and prayer is that I will be a role model for my students, reflecting the character of Christ. Yesterday I was reminded that my students do pick up on my character. Two 7th grade girls had chosen music for the background of their commercial, and while they were out of the room, another student quietly informed me that the words and message of the song they had chosen are inappropriate. As I talked with her, I could tell that her intention was not to get the other girls in trouble but to help me keep the standards I had set for class.

This year I have struggled with classroom management—a common struggle for many teachers. But what truly brings delight and joy to my heart in teaching is seeing the relationships I have formed with each individual student. Even on the most difficult of days, I am blessed through these relationships. As I reflected on Lamentations 3:22-23 this morning, I realized that another attribute of God I can reflect in teaching is mercy. It would be so easy to keep a record of all the times they have been inappropriate and disrespectful to me and pray to simply “get through” the year. But the Lord’s mercies are new every morning. Each new day I spend with my students is a day to start again, understanding that they are learning and growing. This does not mean that I will stop dealing with wrong behaviors or give up trying new techniques to manage class. Instead it gives me a new perspective of how to reflect Christ as I strive to invest in these students while they are under my care.

vs.1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
–> To bless the LORD is to acknowledge that He is the abundant giver of all blessings. Because He continually blesses me, my response should be continual praise.

vs.2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
–> The more we learn about our weaknesses, the more we appreciate who our LORD is. In Him we boast because it is He who provides for us, satisfies our hearts, gives us strength, fulfills our deepest longings, loves us like no other, etc. This causes us to grow in humility; others who are growing in humility will see and understand, which brings gladness in our amazing LORD.

vs.3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together!
–> As we experience the love, provision, blessings, power, strength, mercy, grace, faithfulness, etc. of our LORD, our response should be to magnify and exalt Him. A person’s name has to do with their reputation. When remembering what the LORD has done, we are able to exalt His name because we see His faithfulness to us. Even in dark times we are able to exalt His name when we remember what He has done.

vs.4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
–> God is more powerful than anything we fear; when we trust and hope in His strength, power, and greatness, we are delivered from all our fears. This fear is transformed into a healthy fear of the LORD (this is explained in later verses–7,9,11).

vs.5 Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
–> What you look to is a reflection of your dependency. When we look to El Shaddai, our all-sufficient God, we will be radiant. He never disappoints, and the joy and blessings He gives are greater than anything else we could desire.

vs.6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
–> Again we are reminded that in our weakness and need, the LORD is mighty to save. He is also faithful to hear our cries and to deliver us. We can depend on Him!