Jeremiah 31:10-14

“Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.” vs. 13

There’s likely to be a lot of singing and dancing tonight as 2024 bids farewell. Some are really looking forward to the new year. Their leader has taken power and is promising wholesale change. For those who are his followers there is bound to be jubilation. But not everyone feels that way, and their festivities this evening will be more muted, and may even involve some serious drinking. It’s interesting that when Jeremiah mentioned making merry he wasn’t talking to the powerful. He had in mind those who’d been immersed in mourning and sorrow. That’s alway how it is for the prophets. Their audience is not the powerful but the poor, and the good news always involves some sort of reversal. That’s why the most poignant images of joy tonight will likely be seen in places like Bethlehem or in refugee camps. It’s here that hope burns deeply in human hearts, and that is why, even in the rubble, there’ll be some dancing and merriment. The spirit of the poor and the persecuted is remarkably resilient, and they’ll never give up their hope. And who knows, 2025 may have some surprises up its sleeve! We never know for sure what’s going to be happening. The only given we have is that God Is, and when I Am is in charge, goodness is bound to follow.

Thought for the Day: What’s my hope for 2025?