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Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Joyful Journeys: Daily Devotions for Inspired Paths

TUESDAY, 7 MAY 2024

 

TEXT: Jeremiah 31:1-14

 

1: “At that time,” declares the Lord, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.”

 

2: This is what the Lord says: “The people who survive the sword will find favor in the wilderness; I will come to give rest to Israel.”

 

3: The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

 

4: I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Again you will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful.

 

5: Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant them and enjoy their fruit.

 

6: There will be a day when watchmen cry out on the hills of Ephraim, ‘Come, let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God.’”

 

7: This is what the Lord says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, ‘Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’

 

8: See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return.

 

9: They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.

 

10: “Hear the word of the Lord, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’

 

11: For the Lord will deliver Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they.

 

12: They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord— the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.

 

13: Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

 

14: I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty,” declares the Lord.

 

(New International Version Holy Bible)

  

TOPIC: GOD GAVE ISRAEL REST

 

Judah will not remain in captivity forever. God's intention was to teach them a lesson, make them repent and return to Him. He was very clear about how long Judah would be in captivity.

 

In keeping with that promise, God assured them that "the people who survive the sword will find favour in the desert; I will come to give rest to Israel" (vs 2).

 

These are soothing words which bring hope and reinvigorate the hearts of the Jews who had been away from home for a long time.

 

God demonstrates that He has always loved Israel, even when they were in captivity. The verses also painted a picture of total restoration of a prosperous nation and peaceful living.

 

When God punishes us, His intention is mainly to purify and restore us to Himself so as to usher us into the relationship intended for us.

 

QUESTION: What has been your response to God's punishment which you are currently serving?

 

PRAYER: Thank You, dear Lord for the joy and beauty of the life You are building in me through the discipline I am undergoing, in Jesus name. Amen.

Remain Blessed      

ECWA Food For The Day, 2024.

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