REST AND JOY

This is surely a good time to claim Jeremiah 31:25:

“For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.”

We have been in the midst of more than one epidemic/pandemic of late. The COVID virus has changed the social, cultural, educational, business and dozens of other daily and habitual routines. For the most part it has left many of us “weary and sorrowing” as Jeremiah said, or as we might say, ‘sick and tired.’

All of Jeremiah 31 reminds us that the Lord knows and cares for his people. I especially like verses 31:3-9

Long ago the LORD said to Israel:
“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.
    With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.
I will rebuild you, my virgin Israel.
    You will again be happy
    and dance merrily with your tambourines.
Again you will plant your vineyards on the mountains of Samaria
    and eat from your own gardens there.
The day will come when watchmen will shout
    from the hill country of Ephraim,
‘Come, let us go up to Jerusalem[a]
    to worship the LORD our God.’”
Now this is what the LORD says:
“Sing with joy for Israel.
    Shout for the greatest of nations!
Shout out with praise and joy:
‘Save your people, O LORD,
    the remnant of Israel!’
For I will bring them from the north
    and from the distant corners of the earth.
I will not forget the blind and lame,
    the expectant mothers and women in labor.
    A great company will return!
Tears of joy will stream down their faces,
    and I will lead them home with great care.
They will walk beside quiet streams
    and on smooth paths where they will not stumble.
For I am Israel’s father,
    and Ephraim is my oldest child.

Lord, let it happen, let it come now we pray. We are sick and tired. I am ready get down and dance crazy with my tambourine.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Jesus