Jeremiah 31:13
I will turn their mourning into joy. Jeremiah 31:13
The book of Jeremiah urges GodÂ’s people to turn from their sins and look to God. Jeremiah was appointed by God to be a prophet to Judah where he confronted the leaders and people with their sins; he prophesied their captivity in Babylon and their return from exile. On his journey as a prophet Jeremiah suffered greatly and was more than once inclined to resign from GodÂ’s task (Jeremiah 15:10,17-18; 20:7-9). Despite this and despite being forcefully taken to Egypt he remained faithful and years of obedience made him strong and courageous.
The book of Jeremiah urges GodÂ’s people to turn from their sins and look to God. Jeremiah was appointed by God to be a prophet to Judah where he confronted the leaders and people with their sins; he prophesied their captivity in Babylon and their return from exile. On his journey as a prophet Jeremiah suffered greatly and was more than once inclined to resign from GodÂ’s task (Jeremiah 15:10,17-18; 20:7-9). Despite this and despite being forcefully taken to Egypt he remained faithful and years of obedience made him strong and courageous.
In chapter 5 verse 1, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” That shows the purpose God had for Jeremiah and has for us His children who are Christian.
The first half of our verse from chapter 31 spells out the joy: “The maiden will dance and be glad, young men and old as well” ? because of God’s promise to turn our mourning into joy. It shows us that once we trust God and praise Him in every sphere of life ? in the good times and the bad ? God will hear our prayers and forgive us our sins. No matter how sinful we think we may be He can turn our sadness into gladness and our wailing into dancing.
God is so good that He can and will comfort us. Rather than thinking of God as one with a whip ready to chastise us, we need to see him as a loving Father drawing us his children towards Him. That is why he sent his own Son to us, upon whom was the chastisement of our peace and with whose stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5), that we become children of God.
Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:16 and 17 reminds us that our troubles should not disillusion us but we should realize thereÂ’s a purpose for our suffering and our problems; they give God the opportunity to demonstrate His power. Let us see our troubles as opportunities.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, at this Lenten season you remind us that by your suffering our mourning will be turned into joy. Therefore, we trust in you that you will bring us through our many temptations. Amen.
The first half of our verse from chapter 31 spells out the joy: “The maiden will dance and be glad, young men and old as well” ? because of God’s promise to turn our mourning into joy. It shows us that once we trust God and praise Him in every sphere of life ? in the good times and the bad ? God will hear our prayers and forgive us our sins. No matter how sinful we think we may be He can turn our sadness into gladness and our wailing into dancing.
God is so good that He can and will comfort us. Rather than thinking of God as one with a whip ready to chastise us, we need to see him as a loving Father drawing us his children towards Him. That is why he sent his own Son to us, upon whom was the chastisement of our peace and with whose stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5), that we become children of God.
Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:16 and 17 reminds us that our troubles should not disillusion us but we should realize thereÂ’s a purpose for our suffering and our problems; they give God the opportunity to demonstrate His power. Let us see our troubles as opportunities.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, at this Lenten season you remind us that by your suffering our mourning will be turned into joy. Therefore, we trust in you that you will bring us through our many temptations. Amen.
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