Jeremiah 31:16a (NRSVue) - Thus says the Lord: Keep your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work, says the Lord:
Jeremiah 31 talks about the joyful return of the exiles.
God’s people had endured hardship.
But God promised their return and renewal.
In John 16, Christ tells His disciples what they still had to face.
They would be put out of the synagogues.
Christ reminded them there was more suffering to be endured.
But Christ also gave them a promise.
John 16:22 (NRSVue) - So you have pain now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
Believers today understand that while we live in this world, we will face difficulties.
The faithful also know that when we depart this world our suffering will be at an end,
Until then, we must remember that we do not face difficulties alone.
The triune God accompanies us on our journey.
It is easy to focus on pain, loneliness, suffering and persecution.
But we must never allow these things to convince us that we face them alone.
When we focus on God, we see that our burdens are shared.
We can then more clearly see the promise that lies ahead.
Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, June 3, 2024.
I will be back here on Friday, June 10, 2024
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