For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul. (Jer 31:25)
As God's chosen people were encouraged by the promise of "something new" - we, too, are encouraged by the reality of that promise. We can take refuge in the strength and power of God Almighty and know that He keeps His promises to us and that our lives, though short in comparison to our afterlife, can be made serene in the knowledge of those promises!
When our lives fall into turmoil, when we can't seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel, we must rely on our faith that God did not bring us this far only to leave us here to fend for ourselves. He will provide for us. He will bring us through the storm and the sunshine we experience will be warm and soothing. The softening of our hearts sometimes involves laying everything at His feet and walking away. Sometimes there is nothing we can do but wait. When the wait is over, the tears fall and a different set of prayers begin.
We "are as weary travelers passing through a waste howling wilderness" (Gill's Exposition). Our Heavenly Father refreshes us with His love and mercy. We need only take the time to remember where it is we once were in comparison to where we are. All of our needs were met through our sinfulness, but we lacked the most important of all needs - the need to know God. Total reliance on Him is not an easy feat. It can seem frustrating and long suffering. His promise to replenish our sorrowful soul can seem to take forever. The cry "how much more, Lord" will pierce the silence of our prayers and praises. The words "I can't keep doing this" are echoed from a depth of pain we did not know even existed. We wonder where He is and when He is going to reach down and "fix" what we have so irresponsibly broken or thrown away. We call to Him to ease our suffering and dry our tears. We come close to walking away, yet something always draws us back. His promise.
Regardless of what you want to happen, something inevitably does - and it's by far more than we need and better than we imagined. We hit knees, sing His praises and offer our prayers. He has promised to refresh our weary souls and replenish our troubled spirits. He will not fail us - He never has. While we're waiting - continue to pray - continue to lift up to the heavens all that you have within you. Show your Creator the stuff you are made of - the good, the patient and the persistence of your love for Him. He'll show you the serenity that comes from knowing Him. He will take back what is His. Take a deep breath and relax. Although we will miss her smile, her gentle touch, her approachable persona - she's in great hands - he called her name!!!
