“Gladness And Joy Will Overtake Us!”

“Gladness And Joy Will Overtake Us!”(Is.51:9-16).
The Babylonian captivity was a bitter and painful period for the children of Zion. By the rivers of Babylon, they shed nostalgic tears as they reminisced of their cherished homeland. Their pain was confounded by their captors and tormentors asking them to sing songs of joy. The despaired people didn’t see how they could sing the LORD’S song in a foreign land(Ps.137).
Laterly Jeremiah advised them to endure the hardships of the exile by making themselves comfortable and fully establishing themselves in the land of their captivity. He asked them to build houses, plant vineyards, marry off their daughters, and marry wives for their sons because the exile had to last for about seven decades(Jer.29:4-7).
However, the LORD’S “anger lasts only a moment, but his favour lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning”(Ps.30:5).
God’s expression of anger on his people by a long period of exile was merely a way of raising their consciousness to the fact that they had abandoned him, their first love.
That notwithstanding, God loved them with an everlasting love. In the time of their exile he still assured them: “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…”(Jer.29:11).
Recall how the captors asked them to sing songs of joy, and they lamented how they could sing the LORD’S song in a foreign land. The LORD now makes a salvific promise that was eventually fulfilled in Christ: “The ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”
My friend, whatever your exile situation has been, just know that it was a time of reflection in order to amend your ways. God does not forget those he has called to himself in Christ Jesus.
As cited earlier, the LORD’S “anger lasts only a moment, but his favour lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning”(Ps.30:5).
This is especially true of our brethren whose dream of living the American dream is now being threatened. Remember that refined gold must pass through the painful ordeal of melting. Hold on to your faith and keep hope alive!
Prayer: Holy Spirit, endow us with the spirit of acceptance, perseverance to endure, and hope and trust to overcome. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
04/02/2025.