Pain and heartache were familiar to Jeremiah and the people of Judah. Their homeland was torn away and they were suffering the oppression of Babylonian. Defeat and destruction. Grief and hopelessness. Yet God gave the prophet some words of hope: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself” [Jeremiah 31:3].
Heartache. Pain. Oppression.
Have the blows of life kept coming at such rapid fire you felt like you were in a ring with a championship boxer? Have you questioned, “what else God?” while sitting in a doctor’s office, hospital room or CCU waiting for more news from an earthly physician? Have you searched for God in your circumstances more than you are willing to admit, albeit through the comfort of your air conditioner, tasty coffee and laptop? Guilt creeps in when you think other people have real problems, real illness, real loss…why am I feeling so desolate?
Perhaps you’ve been in a slump? A relational rut with Jesus? A dry season in your spiritual growth where you weren’t sure how you felt so far from God?
Maybe it’s just me…
The craziest grace filled thing of all is God is right there. Still. Always. He has never left me, not forsaken me and loves me with an everlasting love. No matter how much I stray or throw my own personal pity party time and time again, God waits patiently for me to look up and see him holding me. Through it all, He holds my fragile heart wrapped up in real and unreal concerns of my world. He never belittles my pain. He gently guides me back to His word and promises of His love warm my heart and I have strength to move forward.
Grace, patience and deliverance from myself.
In Jeremiah the prophet of God went on to explain that one day He would rebuild the nation, gardens would again flourish in the land, and happiness and dancing would once again be enjoyed by the people [Jeremiah 31:4-7].
Dancing in His Grip, Ashlee
Pray with Me: Dear Heavenly Father God, Thank you for loving me when I am pouting and probably anything but loveable. Thank you for knowing me so well, you are prepared for my concerns and know the way I will work through them before they ever occur to me. Please give me wisdom to continually seek you first and push through the noise of this world and my circumstances. Despite what lies ahead, you lie within me and in you I have peace. In your son’s Holy name, Amen.
Ashlee Gillis Vickers, CPC 