3 August 2022

Thus says the Lord:
The people who survived the sword
found grace in the wilderness;
when Israel sought for rest,
 the Lord appeared to him from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

From Jeremiah 31: 1-7 (NRSV)

Although we often hear of Jeremiah’s reputation as a prophet of doom, today’s extract is evidence that there is far more to him than that. These words were first heard by people in exile – far from their homeland and despairing of ever being able to return home. Some would have given way to cynicism and said it simply was not possible. Others would have wanted to trust it but their experiences of war and suffering would have got in the way. Others would have looked at Jeremiah’s earlier prophecies and seen that he spoke the truth and found themselves able to trust that God did, indeed, love them with an everlasting love – and was constant in faithfulness to them.

• • When have you found it hard to believe in God’s steadfast love for you?
  • What gets in the way of trusting that dark times will come to an end?

Think today of people going through these dark times and feeling that they will never end – perhaps choose someone whose story has stood out for you in the news – or someone who “happens” to come to mind and focus your thoughts and prayers on them today.