July 20, 2022

The Almost Daily will be on Summer Vacation until August 8th. But fear not! You will receive a devotional each Monday through Friday from the excellent Mockingbird Devotional entitled Daily Grace. Enjoy! - Paul Walker

For the LORD has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD...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. (Jeremiah 31:11-13)

When Dr. Brené Brown asked research participants what experiences left them feeling the most vulnerable, she was surprised to find that it wasn’t shame or fear, but joy. When we feel joy, it is often accompanied by a feeling of impending doom, a fear that there will be a price to pay. After all, “there is no such thing as a free lunch,” right? We try to minimize our vulnerability by awfulizing or catastrophizing in order to prepare ourselves for the proverbial dropping shoe.

But there is no way to prepare for life on life’s terms. Vulnerability is a position of faith, admitting we have limitations and liabilities. Come what may—joy or sorrow—our lives are in God’s hands, not ours.

In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah is trying to encourage the captives in exile. He reminds them of God’s promise to redeem them from the “strong hands” of oppression by sending them a Messiah. They will be restored to peace, honor, joy, and plenty. “I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.” Hanging onto the promises of God, we can experience the grace of joy without penalty. Christ died to pay your debt, to catch the other shoe for you, and to turn your mourning into joy.

[Marilu Thomas, Daily Grace - Mockingbird Devotional Vol. 2]