Jeremiah 31:16
The scripture for today is Jeremiah 31:16
Jeremiah 31:16 Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the LORD, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy.
Jeremiah, knowing that captivity is coming for Judah, encourages the people to look forward. Yes, dark days may be ahead, but don’t use your voice for weeping, and don’t allow tears to overwhelm your eyes. Look forward, for your work shall be rewarded, and God will bring you back to the land that He promised to give you.
When the nation turned its back on God, God did not turn His back on them. This is one of the most incredible attributes of God. Even when we fail, He does not abandon us. No matter how many times we fail, He is still right there, waiting and willing to help us and restore us back to a right relationship with Him.
Failure is often a function of looking in the wrong direction. God always provides a safe path for us to follow; a path where there is provision enough to sustain us. Too often we, like Israel and Judah, look in the wrong direction for instruction and guidance. Whenever we take our eyes off of our God and Savior, we cannot see the things that are ahead. Consequently, we find ourselves in the proverbial ditch and often do not know how we got there. Thankfully, God is standing by; He has not left us and, wonder of wonders, He is still extending His hand to us, not because we deserve it, but because His love requires it. He is not motivated by the consequences of our foolish decisions; He is motivated by His love for us.
We can see the love of God in how he cared for Judah. They did not deserve a single gesture of the grace that God extended to them, but He gave it to them anyway. He gave them His word, His promise; “they shall come back from the land of the enemy.” They were taken captive because of their lawlessness and rebellion. They were brought home again because of the love of God.
God loves you and me. When we are discouraged by our own weakness and failure, we can take heart; God is there; He was there all the time. Let Him bring us to the place of promise, the place where He wants us to be.
God bless you as you continue in His service.
Tim