In Sadness and in Consolation

 

Jeremiah 31 speaks about the return of the exiles.

Scripture specifies that it will be a joyous return.

Jeremiah 31:13b (NRSVue) - I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them and give them gladness for sorrow.

Paul opens his second letter to Corinth with a greeting.

Immediately afterward, Paul writes about affliction and God’s role.

God is with us in our tribulation.

Equally, God is there in our consolation.

2 Corinthians 1:7 (NRSVue) - Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our consolation.

God is compassionate.

He turns our sorrow and mourning into joy.

Yes, God accompanies us in our sadness.

We should also recognize that God will be with us in what lies beyond.

God will be there in our consolation.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, January 23, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, February 6, 2026