“…the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD: ‘Give thanks to the LORD of hosts, for the LORD is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!’ For I will restore the fortunes of the land as at first, says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 33:11)
The 33rd chapter in Jeremiah concludes the “Book of Consolation” (30:1-33:26). Following a brief introduction (verses 1-3), two messages are given: (1) Israel and Judah will be restored (4-13), and (2) David’s descendants will continue to rule and members of the tribe of Levi will continue to serve as priests forever (verses 14-26). And in so doing, paradise will be regained… “For I will restore the fortunes of the land as at first, says the LORD.” Such is the bright, joyous picture set forth in verses 11-18. This paradise is characterized by righteousness. Not mere innocence, as in Eden, but virtue tested and triumphant. This same righteousness through Christ is the only foundation for a truly blessed life, founded and secured by the One who is called “the righteous Branch,” and “the Lord our Righteousness.” George Downame said, “It is true that Christ sanctifies us by His Spirit and is the Author of inherent righteousness in us… so it follows that He is also our holiness and our sanctification.” This righteous restoration of the people of God is grounded in His divine love as evidenced by the gladness of the bridegroom and the bride (verse 11). That companionship which is the most blessed in the world, and that love which is deepest and purest of all, represent the divine atmosphere that fills the abode of God’s redeemed. God’s desire for His people is life eternal – a life of triumphant joy and praise. “There shall be … the voice of joy and the voice of gladness,” etc. (verse 11). And so we look for a new order of things, which shall not be as this, troubled and transient, but characterized by eternal rest and everlasting joy. How we long for heaven! Jeremiah so delighted in this joyous truth that he had to speak about it. It was a burning fire in his bones because he knew it would be a comfort to the downcast and raise the hearts of God’s people toward heaven. We too must believe that contemplating the joy that is set before us will do our weary hearts good. And just as Jeremiah demonstrated a deep love for his people and the desire to share in God’s blessings with them, may we also show real love for one another, delighting in the Lord and what He has in store for us together.- Do I delight in You as much as I beg for mercy? It’s easy to love the gift and miss the giver of the gift. The lepers in the Gospel all desired mercy in hopes of having their leprosy cured, but only one returned in praise and thanksgiving for the divine healing he received. His delight was genuine. “Praise the LORD of hosts, For the LORD is good, For His mercy endures forever,” (Jer. 33:11). Am I like the many ungrateful lepers who were healed or the one who delighted in You and returned to thank You and praise You?
- Lord, the original practice and order of Your church was to walk in the truth and live by the truth. Help me that I might do this all the days of my life, to hold steadfast to those first principles of Christ as revealed in Your Word.
- Lord, help me both pray and praise. Prepare my heart to seek You and open Your ears mercifully to hear me. O Eternal and ever-living Lord, Creator and Preserver of all things in heaven and in earth, by whose gracious providence I have been wonderfully and fearfully made, preserve and keep me, for I am the workmanship of Your own hands, through Christ, in the Spirit. Humble both my soul and body before You that I might praise You as You deserve.
- Lord, help me praise You because of who You are and what You have done. Give me grace to die daily to sin by virtue of Your Son’s death, and to rise to newness of life by the power of His resurrection. Spiritually persuade me in my understanding, subdue the stubbornness of my will, and bring into obedience whatever exalts itself against Your will, that at last I may become as You would have me to be, and that I might praise You and give You thanks in all things through Christ.
