SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 31
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
‘A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are no more.‘ This is what the Lord says: ‘Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,’ declares the Lord. ‘They will return from the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your future,’ declares the Lord. ‘Your children will return to their own land.’ [Jer 31:15-17]
So far, reading Jeremiah has been tough, most of it being judgment.
But now we get to hear about God’s love and promise of joy… one day.
Yes, Rachel (wife of Jacob, mother of Israel) still weeps over the loss of her children, but… ‘they will return, there is hope for your future!’
God never stops loving his children, even when things go terribly wrong.
Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him;
I have great compassion for him,” declares the Lord. [Jer 31:20]
This passage is quoted by Matthew when he writes about the murder of small boys by Herod, to kill Jesus [Matthew 2:18].
The rejoicing of the angels is once again tempered by Rachel’s weeping.
But though suffering continues for a season, joy will be restored.
I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful. [Jeremiah 31:4]
I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. [Jeremiah 31:13]
Or as Jesus says it, I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. [John 16:20]
Whenever we go through seasons of sorrow, we are encouraged to keep on trusting in the Lord, anticipating the day when joy is restored.
This is hard to do when your life is falling apart, and your eyes cannot hold back the tears.
In those seasons, we are urged to weep with anticipation, not with despair.
Yes, weep, but weep on the way home, moving towards joy.
They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. [Jeremiah 31:9]
Rachel’s (and yours) tears are understandable, and acceptable – what happened to her children (and to you) was horrible.
But may you weep towards joy, not towards despair!
** Note, I decided to reflect on the theme of joy, rather than on the new covenant, even though the new covenant is such important theme. Next time!
PRAYER:
Lord, for all those who are going through tears right now, please give them what they need to weep towards joy!
‘This is what the Lord says’ is a common refrain. Listening and doing – the hearing of His Word gives life and life eternal. But the people in past did not listen and went their own way. But by God’s grace, through His discipline, they have found their way home. And He will give the rest promised.
Verse 21 talks about ‘set up road signs; put up guideposts, Take note of the highway, the road that you take.’ Oh Lord, open my eyes that I can see the road signs, There is but One Way and that You do allow U Turns so that I too can travel each day for there are Rest Areas where You fill me up again. You do refresh the weary especial;y after going through a Construction Zone. Help me, guide me each day anew on my journey refreshed for my sleep ‘had been pleasant to me.’
heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad;
I found in Him a resting place, and He has made me glad.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one, stoop down, and drink, and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in Him.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s Light;
Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise, and all thy day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found in Him my Star, my Sun;
And in that light of life I’ll walk, till traveling days are done.