Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4-5.

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing. Psalm 107:21-22 NKJV.

You now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. John 16:22 NKJV.

Last night we watched The Chosen, Season 4, the 1st episode, on Zoom with others who have marveled with us at this journey that was undertaken so long ago. We marveled at the joy that Mary, pregnant with Jesus, showed all over her countenance and spirit as she traveled to see Elizabeth, her cousin, who was also pregnant with John who would become the Baptizer. The angel who told Mary what would be she called “my messenger” and it reminded us how very personal Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit, is and can be when we open our hearts to Him and the work He is doing within us. And He reminded me this morning that just as He works in me, He is working in those I love. Thankfulness is at the heart of our personal relationship with God. Thankfulness is the bridge to joy and trust.

That’s why it’s so hard to read these chapters of Jeremiah because the people that should have been close to God were choosing to turn their backs on Him. We see that today and it’s heartbreaking for the sins that are the inevitable result. And every sin causes heartbreak and harm. Jeremiah 8 – “Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: “‘When people fall down, do they not get up? When someone turns away, do they not return? Why then have these people turned away? Why does Jerusalem turn away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to return. I have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right. None of them repent of their wickedness, saying, “What have I done?” Each pursues their own course like a horse charging into battle. Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration. But My people do not know the requirements of the Lord.’” v. 4-7. And the words of God that should have shaken the people? “‘How can you say, “We are wise, for we have the law of the Lord,” when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely? The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the Lord, what kind of wisdom do they have?’” v. 8-9. And Jeremiah, tasked with telling the people what God is telling them, laments, You who are my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me. Listen to the cry of my people from a land far away: “Is the Lord not in Zion? Is her King no longer there?” v. 16-19. Since my people are crushed, I am crushed; I mourn, and horror grips me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people? v. 21-22. Remember Jesus’s words as He entered Jerusalem before His crucifixion? Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Matthew 23:37. Are we truly not willing to turn to God?

God is our Comforter but if we turn away from Him, where is our help? Jeremiah was walking the same knife-edge we walk when we see the sins that cause such deep wounds on the one side and know the love of God that brings needed healing on the other. All of the history of mankind shows the one side where people choose great harm charging like a horse to battle and never turning aside. And…always…on the other side of ask…is God who is ready to guide us and lead us in the way of healing love and trust in Him and His goodness for us. And here with Him is our security and our hope and our joy for all eternity. We all of us have lessons to learn in this life we live. And like Mary, we can know joy that overflows to great thankfulness because we are a part of this amazing journey Creator God began with wisdom and love. Trust Him with every part of it! And let these words be spoken in your heart…The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26.