Even in the Darkest Times

One of the darkest times for Israel was a period of exile in Babylon. Their homeland had been conquered and burned, the temple destroyed. Most of those who survived were carted off to enemy territory where they would be forced to start life anew.

And yet, it was in the midst of this time of travail that some of Israel’s most sweeping, extravagant claims for the goodness of God were spoken and written as scripture.

In Jeremiah 31 we read, “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations… For the Lord has ransomed Jacob… 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… 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.”

When Jeremiah first spoke these words, this was not a present reality, but rather a future hope. What an awesome testament of faith!

My prayer for you is that when things seem to be at their worst, God would grant you the courage to hold out for hope. May you remember how God has carried you in the past. And may you notice God’s healing, guiding hand already at work here and now.

Let us pray: God of Grace, we thank you for the witness of scripture – that beyond the despair, beyond the grief, beyond the problems we face, there is hope for a better tomorrow. We trust that you are good and that for you nothing is impossible. Fill us again this day with courage and strength; through Jesus Christ. Amen.