Joy Promised

Do you know the sound of an acorn when it falls on a metal roof?  Whew – it’s loud!  The sound reminds me of coming Fall and Winter, when leaves turn and turn loose, hummingbirds fly south, and yes, acorns fall. In the dead cold of Winter, we imagine the coming Spring when leaves return to the trees and birds build new nests for their young.  Oddly enough, although the Chaldeans were threatening to overtake Jerusalem, God told Jeremiah to buy land [which he did].  Hear God’s declaration: “For thus says the LORD, ‘Just as I brought all this great disaster on this people, so I am going to bring on them all the good that I am promising them. Fields will be bought in this land of which you say, “It is a desolation, without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.” … I will restore their fortunes,’ declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 32:42-44).  With God, no situation or circumstance, is hopeless. He is our Hope – not wishfulness but confident expectation. It is He Who makes promises and keeps them!  “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He Who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23).  As God surely keeps His promises, He says, “I will rejoice over them to do them good … with all My heart and with all My soul.” (V.41).  God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6), and those times are tough but repentant souls will once again know joy - as promised.  Perhaps you're in a wintry season right now: do not despair. Hope with joy is promised!