Out of Desolation

SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 33:10-11 "Thus says the Lord: ‘Again there shall be heard in this place— of which you say, "It is desolate, without man and without beast"—in the cities of Judah, in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man and without inhabitant and without beast, the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say: "Praise the Lord of hosts, For the Lord is good, For His mercy endures forever"— and of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,’ says the Lord.

OBSERVATION: Even though the land was to go through a very tough time, God was reassuring the people that it wouldn't be forever. When the land becomes desolate and lifeless, it is hard to imagine any normal or even joyful activity being done in it again. When Nebuchadnezzar came and drove the inhabitants from the land and tore down the buildings and the wall around the city it would seem that all was lost -- that it was over. You can almost imagine someone traveling through the ghost town of Jerusalem, looking into ruined and empty houses where families once laughed together but now there was only echoing silence. The sounds of life and laughter that once rang through the city seemed to be gone forever. The sense of loss and grief are magnified by the sensation that those sounds would never return again. God was telling them to take heart. Incredibly, joy and life would return to this desolate place.

APPLICATION: I think this is a great picture and a great promise for any time that we experience grief. The grief brings a very strong sense that things will never be joyful again. From the center of grief it is very hard, if not impossible at times, to imagine that there could ever be joy again.
No matter how desolate and lifeless things get, God can restore joy and laughter -- the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride. "Though sorrow may last for a night, joy comes in the morning."

PRAYER: Father, with You there is never an absolute end. There is always hope. Each evening has a dawn. Every way down has a way up. When my imagination fails for a better day, I trust in You.