November 29
Jeremiah 31.10-14
10 “Hear the word of the Lord, you nations;
proclaim it in distant coastlands:
‘He who scattered Israel will gather them
and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’
11 For the Lord will deliver Jacob
and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they.
12 They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion;
they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord—
the grain, the new wine and the olive oil,
the young of the flocks and herds.
They will be like a well-watered garden,
and they will sorrow no more.
13 Then young women will dance and be glad,
young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into gladness;
I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
14 I will satisfy the priests with abundance,
and my people will be filled with my bounty,”
declares the Lord.
Sometimes we gather as the church and we look like we are at school again. We have to be here. We go through the actions, but we have not strong emotion about what we are doing. Then we go and watch sports and we wear special clothes to match the team we cheer for, we get excited when things go well and upset when we are losing. We have greater emotion about the happenings of sporting events than we do about being able to gather in worship and fellowship together. Not here, of course. Other places.
The image of gladness, joy and comfort are not just for a future event. They did show the emotions of the return to Israel after the exile. It showed in the events of Jesus ministry. It is the way of the church in Acts as they grew. It is meant to be ours today. It will be even greater when we sit with Jesus in the renewed creation. But ours today in so many ways.
We don’t manufacture emotion, however. If we are finding our times of gathering are tedious, boring, tiresome, or some other negative reaction, then what needs to change? It could be that the way we gather needs to change. Most often I have found that if that is my reaction, I am the one who needs to change. Asking God to give that joy again when we gather. Asking that I am receiving the Spirit’s leading, power, joy, as we get together.
God wants us to be joyful in our life as the church. God promises us an abundance of his presence when we are gathered. He has redeemed us already. Let’s pray that we receive the joy of the Lord, the gladness and comfort of his presence always with us. God is with us. And we rejoice.
Song – Therefore the Redeemed
Prayer
God our Redeemer, you have gathered us to be your people. As we see our times together as a congregation, or other times we are together as your people, prepare us to see you in your full glory. Give us eyes to see your life-giving Spirit working in us and around us. Restore to us the joy of our salvation. And renew your Spirit in us. Amen.