“For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.” (Jeremiah 31:25)
As I write this, my heart breaks for the families dealing with grief in Texas following deadly flooding over the holiday weekend. Many others around the world are struggling with sorrow in deep and profound ways as well. It is my hope and prayer that this verse can be a beacon of hope in those dark moments. God wants to bring joy to our sorrow.
Context (Jeremiah 31:15-25): Jeremiah uses all of chapter 31 to speak of hope for the restoration to come. Jeremiah’s earlier prophecies spoke of God’s judgment toward the stubborn Israelites who had angered God with their indifference. This condensed section deals specifically with God’s desire to protect and restore his children, hoping they will cling to the future promise.
This verse helps us realize that no matter how bad things get, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. God is waiting for us. He intends to stay close and lift us up when we need it. Knowing we are not alone in our times of sorrow can be a comfort that’s hard to describe.
What helps me to accept God’s joy is to remember the love it took for Jesus to do what He did for me on the cross. We can get lost in our grief and sorrow. God doesn’t want us to stay there. In our sorrow, finding joy in the Lord proves that joy is not the same as happiness. Joy is deeper and helps restore our happiness.
This verse also speaks to our times of weariness. Maybe that’s a 24/7 reality for you. I remember vividly the days of exhaustion of being a new mom or a working mom with a huge caseload or carrying the privilege of being a pastor’s wife and all those expectations. Was that weariness or just being tired?
When I think of weariness, I sense more desperation than simply feeling sleep deprived. We can be “weary” even when we’re getting ample sleep. Our weariness may be situational, feeling like we’ve lost our way or are in the wrong place. You might recognize that if you’re working a job that you aren’t suited for or serving in the wrong ministry at church.
For the weary, this verse says God gives rest. That respite from our weariness shifts our focus, and life is brighter once again. Hope springs up from the inside out as we let God’s provision fill us and renew us. Don’t resist the refreshment that only God can give.
How beautiful Old Testament texts can be when we take the time to pay attention! God’s message of love is weaved throughout the Bible, not just in the love personified in Jesus Christ found in the New Testament.
Our time in Scripture helps provide this rest and this joy. The promise is fulfilled by God’s hand, but we can learn to recognize what that looks like by getting to know him through His Word. Upon reflection, we see God’s profound love for us, his willful children.
Just as he promised the Israelites, God promises us rest and joy. We can count on it. How does this promise change the way you are going to look at this day you have been given? Are you going to smile a little bigger, hug a little tighter, or just feel the peace that results from resting in the joy of the Lord?
Let’s pray. Lord, I know a lot of people are suffering right now in one way or another. You are acquainted with their pain whether obvious to the world or not. I call out to you, Father, to bring your rest and restore their joy quickly, and may they receive it and lean into your loving arms. Help me to do what I can to support those around me, helping them find their way back to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.