Dancing with the Stars

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 31:1-14

I will rebuild you, my virgin Israel. You will again be happy and dance merrily with tambourines. They will come home and sing songs of joy on the heights of Jerusalem. The young women will dance for joy, and the men—old and young—will join in the celebration. I, the Lord, have spoken! (Jeremiah 31:4,12,13 NLT)

The promise made to Israel in Jeremiah. Chapter thirty one is that the people will return to the land. Once again dancing and singing will be heard in the streets of Jerusalem. Not just ballroom dancing. Not line dancing or a hoe down, but a spiritual dance with great exuberance and celebration. Why? Because peace has come to Jerusalem—the King has arrived.

     When we look at the turmoil in the Middle East today that seems like an impossible task, but with God nothing is impossible. When will such a time come? Will it take place during this generation, or is it destined for a distant future?

     The Lord reaffirmed his promises to Israel in Jeremiah 31:1 by stating, “At that time,’ declared the Lord, ‘I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.”  What time? A present or future time? God goes on to say, “Behold, I am bringing them from the north country, and I will gather them from the remote parts of the earth” (31:8). This process of re-gathering began back in 1948 when Israel became a nation once again, and is still going on today. God is not through with his people Israel. There is a remnant that will survive even the severest hatred and persecution from the nations and peoples of the world. God says, “I, the Lord, have spoken!” 

     God has a plan for His chosen people of Israel. It is not impossible for him to turn mourning into dancing and sadness into joy. But what about the Gentiles? Does he have a plan for you and me? Our future destiny was determined at the Cross of Calvary. Jesus’ death and resurrection guarantee the believer’s future destiny in heaven where sickness, death, tears, and sorrow will be vanquished. In that day, he will present us to his Heavenly Father perfect and complete.

     Whatever your plight is today, stay focused on Jesus and gain God’s eternal perspective. Join in the celebration and get ready to dance with the stars.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thanks to you, I have reason to rejoice. You have rescued me time and time again from situations and circumstances not of my making as well as those I brought upon myself.