SCRIPTURE

Studied: Jeremiah 33

 

OBSERVATION

Jeremiah 33:10-11 ~ ….The towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem are deserted, and people and animals are nowhere to be seen. But someday you will hear ¹¹happy voices and the sounds of parties and wedding celebrations. And when people come to my temple to offer sacrifices to thank me, you will hear them say: “We praise you, LORD All-Powerful! You are good to us, and your love never fails.” The land will once again be productive.

APPLICATION

Jeremiah had spoken of so much that had gone on around Judah and Jerusalem and how deserted they were. Of course this is the way we look at lean times through our human eyes, but praise God we serve the One who not only knows why we go through the times of famine, decline, desertion or major challenges to our faith, but who also has control over our destiny and control over when we should expect to see movement or improvement because of His hand at work in our midst. I was reminded of the words of that gospel song ‘Hold on my child, Joy Comes in the Morning‘, because no matter how things may appear through our human eyes, we have confidence in the only One that has control over these temporal challenges. You see, my God knows when and how, or even if, things will improve while we continue our worldly path or whether it will be our reuniting with Him that will bring Joy in the Morning for us. But let’s remember that it is our joy and reassurance to know that Joy will come for those of us that know Jesus personally!

PRAYER

Dear God, please help me not to focus too much on the temporal challenges that I see in my personal life, my family, my job or the life of my church. Thank You for reminding me that just as You had control over the challenges that Judah and Jerusalem went through and how You gave Jeremiah assurance that he would one day see them overcome, that You can and will work in the lives of Your people today to expose our shortcomings and sin so that we may allow You to cleanse ourselves, then overcome and live the victorious lives that will be a shining light and example to the dark and sinful world in which we find ourselves. Praise God I serve such an awesome, loving, powerful Savior that brings peace to me in challenging times!