Devotion • January 10
Scripture Reading
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.” See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock.” For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall become like a watered garden, and they shall never languish again. Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. I will give the priests their fill of fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty, says the Lord. (NRSV)
Reflection
My partner is an elementary school principal and I work at a church. The month of December in our respective careers is intense. Combine that with our children’s end-of-semester projects and finals and by Christmas we are all on fumes with short tempers and copious grumbling.
On Christmas morning, after a leisurely time of opening presents and enjoying one another’s thoughtful gift-giving, I felt replenished. We have created a family that listens to one another, is creative, and is really funny. I found myself in deep gratitude for the blessings in my life. In that moment, I understood Jeremiah’s euphoric declarations of trading sorrow for gladness, of watered gardens, and satisfaction with bounty.
That euphoria was short-lived. Shortly afterwards there were squabbles over missing phone chargers and what movie we’d watch. Someone claimed they always get stuck cleaning the kitchen while another one disappears. There were complaints about the Christmas dinner menu and the expectation of even more family time. The joy-filled Christmas morning feelings were gone.
The prophet Jeremiah is speaking to a people who have been conquered, exiled, and were living a painful existence as refugees Yet, there was hope of a better day. If I pay attention to all that is broken in our world, it makes sense to dwell on what’s wrong. Collectively we are on fumes. I’m not suggesting that it should be otherwise. And yet there is hope of a better day.
How do I find moments of replenishment and hope? How do I allow myself to be overwhelmed by gratitude amid heartbreak? It’s important that I intentionally look for moments of joy, of blessings, and of peace. It is easy to be overwhelmed by all that isn’t. The hard work is to be Jeremiah and trust in the promise of God’s better day.
Prayer
God of promise and hope, give me stamina for the hard work of paying attention to both the broken and the blessings. Grant that I would find energy to both do your work of repair and also rest in your goodness. Amen.
Written by Andrea Denney, Executive Director of Operational Ministries
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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