Jeremiah 31:7-14 “For thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.’” vs. 7
Jeremiah is typically thought of as a prophet of doom, one who continually warns Judah and Jerusalem of the catastrophic consequences of their current behaviors. But in this portion of his sayings he has nothing but salvation on his mind. He believes that Israel is favored above all nations and that the Lord is about to act in a mighty way to bring its scattered people back home again. These are powerful passages and it’s easy to see why they’ve been cherished during the times of exile and dispersion. There’s something in our DNA as the people of God that makes us sing in times of despair and hope in the face of an uncertain future. We simply cannot believe that God will desert us or that darkness will prevail. It’s important to keep that in mind as we prepare to move into 2021. There are a good many uncertainties in front of us; we wonder about economic stability and vaccine distributions. We worry about global tensions. But those anxieties can’t be allowed to dominate our demeanors or attitudes. Our God is good and gracious and has already acted for our salvation! The promises have been made; all we need do is believe them–and keep on singing!
Thought for the Day: How am I feeling about 2021?
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