Restoration: One Day

Read: Jeremiah 30-31

Jeremiah’s words are not all gloom and doom. For those who listen to the whole message, there is great hope in the words we read today.  I can’t wait for this moment, to see this glorious day!

“‘In that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty,
‘I will break the yoke off their necks
and will tear off their bonds;
no longer will foreigners enslave them.
Instead, they will serve the Lord their God
and David their king,
whom I will raise up for them.
Jeremiah 30:8-9

For many of us, the phrase “In that day” is the hope we long for, it is the reason to continue moving forward because that day it will all be clear. Whatever present circumstance or ailment that holds us back, we know one day that will be removed.

The fierce anger of the Lord will not turn back
until he fully accomplishes
the purposes of his heart.
In days to come
you will understand this.
Jeremiah 30:24

“In days to come you will understand this.” Lord, why can’t today be that day? I’m sure this question reveals my need for greater faith, more assurance that God is for us, but I truly long for an inkling of understanding. On the plane to and from Orlando last week, there was a young boy, probably 3 or 4 years old, who persistently asked his mother, “why.” “Why do I have to have a seat belt on? Why do the clouds do that? Why is the sky blue? Why, why, why?” She did a great job interacting with her son, even though at one point she had to say, “Mommy doesn’t know all of the answers.” She was patient and loving, though I’m sure she was veiling her frustration to some degree. As I ponder my reaction above, I wonder if God is tired of hearing my ask, “why?” Seriously, Lord, why must I go through this trial?

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.
Jeremiah 31:13

No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares the Lord.
“For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.”
Jeremiah 31:34

Jeremiah speaks of a time in the distant future, one when God restores all and we can dance unashamedly. I fully believe this will come to pass, that there will be a day when we will live with joy that words cannot describe. During times of trial, this is harder to understand, but all the more pleasant to consider.

For some reason the image of playing with a child comes to mind. I remember those days when we would blow up a balloon, then let it go, shooting around the room. The laughter and excitement in our girls’ eyes was wonderful; their “do it again” reply was so much fun! But here’s the thought: if I only blew up the balloon one-third of the way, it would barely leave my hand, let alone shoot across the room. I would blow up the balloon as full as I could before letting it go. That made the surprising reaction much more exciting–it’s what made the game fun!

Perhaps this is a metaphor for those times in life when pressure keeps mounting. It seems like we’ll burst, but somehow we continue until that day when the balloon is released and we laugh and say, “do it again!” Lord, give me patience to wait on your timing. Don’t let me steal the future joy for some present satisfaction. Oh how I wish I could be that child again. One day.