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.  Lamentations 3:22-23

This summer, on the mornings that I don’t work, I walk to Middlesboro, Kentucky.  I usually head out sometime between 7:30 and 8 and it takes me about 45 minutes to do the out and back walk of two miles.  Most of my walk is through the woods.  A little of it, however, is along US 25E, which is a very busy highway through the mountains.

I have really enjoyed my morning walk through a piece of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.  It puts me back in touch with God and with myself.  Sometimes I do the whole walk in an attitude of prayer.  Sometimes I listen to praise music.  I might call a friend and talk as I walk.  I have a library of podcasts that I enjoy while I am walking.

Every walk reminds me of the compassion and love of God.  His mercy that is new every morning.  His great faithfulness to me.

On my walks this summer I stop and take a picture at a particular place.  There is a bear crossing sign that I’ve put in the crosshairs of my phone for the picture.  The view from that spot shows Cumberland Mountain, the Cumberland Gap, and 25E as it heads into the mountain.  Every morning the view is as new as God’s mercies.  So far I haven’t caught any bears crossing at that spot.

When I stop at this place on my walk, I thank God that his mercy is new every morning.  No matter what I did the previous day, today is a fresh start with God.  As I continue on my walk, I often sing the old hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”

Here are the words, and here are the pictures that I have taken over the summer.  Perhaps you would like to sing the hymn with me as you look at the pictures.

1. Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
   There is no shadow of turning with thee.
   Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
   As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Refrain:
Great is thy faithfulness,
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness,
Lord unto me.

2. Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. [Refrain]

3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside. [Refrain]