Judgement and redemption

"He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his 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...their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall languish no more...I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the Lord." Jeremiah 31:11-14

It does not take long to look at ourselves and the world around us and see brokenness. What hope is there if this proclamation of the Lord is not true? God is not disconnected from His people...He is so connected and passionate that He pays the ransom and makes redemption possible. The response of Israel is more than thanksgiving...it is complete joy and gladness, eyes turned away from self and to the Almighty God.

"Set up road markers for yourself; make yourself guideposts; consider well the highway, the road by which you went. Return, O virgin Israel, return to these your cities." Jeremiah 31:21

Perspective and context are vital components of faith. We are pilgrims, on a journey with a defined destination. Every experience is important in the overall journey, producing a deepening of the Gospel within the heart and a contagious overflowing of the Gospel into the world.

"I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people." Jeremiah 31:33

Just when we think it is up to ourselves to make things right with God and the world, we are humbled again and realize God is the source and His Spirit the mechanism. He changes our hearts and the way we see the world. He calls us, and He brings about faith within us. What more reason to rejoice and sing on the height of Zion, radiant over the goodness of the Lord.