TEXTS AND APPLICATION: Jeremiah 31 may well be the most famous chapter in the book of Jeremiah. The passages about God’s writing the new covenant on the heart of His people (Jer. 31:31ff) are hopeful, affirming, and glorious.
This day, though, I hold on to the following words — words that describe the joy God will bring when He restores His people:
Jer. 31:13b I will turn their mourning into joy, give them consolation, and bring happiness out of grief.
These words speak to my heart today because of the sudden, unexpected death of the young wife of a dear friend. They have been serving God as missionaries, but still that family now faces the agony of tragedy.
I don’t understand, and my faith struggles today — but I have hope the world cannot understand. God somehow really does turn our mourning into joy and our grief into happiness, even when He does so only months and years after the pain hits. He really is the God of restoration and resurrection. And, honestly, I don’t know how the non-believing world lives without that truth.
Would you join me today in praying for my friend and his family?
PRAYER: “God, thank you that You turn mourning into joy. Please be ever present with all those today who face the reality of death.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Jeremiah 32-34