Thursday, July 8, 2021
Today’s Scripture
Today’s Author
Chris Holmes
Jeremiah 31 falls near the middle of a section called the “little book of consolation” (Jeremiah 30:1–33:26). In these chapters, God commands Jeremiah to record visions of God’s promised future for the people of Israel.
Jeremiah 31 is perhaps the most hope-filled and joyful chapter in this little book of consolation. God speaks intimately to a people who have witnessed and endured the trauma of exile. God reminds the people of God’s faithful love, both in exile and in the hope for restoration. God invites them to respond with gladness, joy, and dancing. The chapter bursts with God’s promises: to redeem the people from exile, to bring them back to their home, to rebuild and expand their cities, and to satisfy their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Much of this is captured in verse 17: “there is hope for your future.” Hope. Jeremiah’s message of hope is bold and audacious. It entails great reversal: mourning turned to dancing, lament turned to praise, tears turned to laughter. And above all, the hope of Jeremiah 31 is rooted in the new and surprising actions of God.
I invite you to take some time to read Jeremiah 31 and to reflect on your own spiritual journey and the nature of hope. How has God brought you out of a darkness like exile? How might God be saying: “there is hope for your future?” What new thing might God be doing in your life?
Summer Devotional
God Goes With Us
This summer’s devotional is a walk through the Bible. Join our pastors and staff for daily reflections on scripture passages from Genesis to Revelation. In the beginning, God said, “I will be your God and you will be my people.” Come and see how this covenant promise changes through time yet remains steadfast from generation to generation.
Each Sunday, Chris Holmes will share a short message on the texts for the week, and written reflections will go out every Monday through Thursday morning.
We wish you blessings and deeper faith this summer!
