Bridging Heartache
William Shakespeare explained:
'Expectation is the root of all heartache.'
The Lord acts in human heartache. There is nought in life beyond His ability to touch. His arm is never too short.
First, He captures my body.
Second, He captures my mind. (He then has my attention!)
Then He captures my heart.
And - now finally and much better, my future is captured too.
While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the LORD came to him a second time ... I will bring health and healing; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant security. (Jeremiah 33:1 & 6)
Confined in the guard's courtyard, Jeremiah was again able and willing to listen to the Lord. His nation now shared his tatters and troubles. Surely he was too broekn and in tears?
Jeremiah was the senior of misery, that ancient champion of receiving ill-will from others. (Not everyone could have written 'Lamentations'!)
He was accustomed to confinement, if it was not the civilised space of a courtyard, it was a dry cistern.
In his captivity God again had Jeremiah's attention. By receiving the bad (confinement), he is now positioned well to receive the good (hearing hope from the Lord). Suffering does this for God's people.
God spoke inviting and affirming words of hope and promise into he who had lived enduring hardship. God spoke hope into his heart, and fresh breath into his future and Israel's.
The panacea for heartache is hope! Hope hinders and then unhinges heartache!
Understand the times of confinement well (those desert times), for these are really God's preceding gift, the entree to healing and abundant joy. A new Canaan awaits.
Today's Soul Snippet:
"I would not give much for your religion unless it can be seen. Lamps do not talk, but they do shine." ~C. H. Spurgeon
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