The Joy of Walking in Obedience -Jeremiah 31:13

Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.

Jeremiah 31:13 (NIV)

“Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.”

Jeremiah 31:13 (MSG)

“Young women will dance and be happy, young men and old men will join in. I’ll convert their weeping into laughter, lavishing comfort, invading their grief with joy.”

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“Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance, and the young men and old, together, for I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them and make them rejoice after their sorrow.” -AMPLIFIED

“I will turn their mourning to joy: Israel mourned under their exile and captivity, but God promised to turn it to joy. With God’s comfort, all would rejoice together.” ~David Guzik

In yesterday’s text, we found the Lord likening Israel, when they returned to Zion, to a well-watered garden:

“They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will be radiant with joy because of the Lord’s goodness, because of the grain, the new wine, the fresh oil, and because of the young of the flocks and herds. Their life will be like an irrigated garden, and they will no longer grow weak from hunger.” -Jeremiah 31:12 (CSB)

Notice how they will return home, with joy, radiant faces, and why? Because of the Lord’s goodness.

As we look to today’s passage, we will notice that that theme of joy and gladness continues. God’s Message to Israel:

Eternal One: “Young women will dance for joy; young men will join them, old ones too. For I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort My people and replace their sorrow with gladness.” -(VOICE)

In that day, the latter days, remember, in the final verse of Jeremiah 30, verse 24, we are told these things would happen in the latter days: “The fierce anger of the Lord will not turn back Until He has performed and accomplished The intent of His heart. In the latter days you will understand this.” -Jeremiah 30:24 (NASB)

In that day and time, the young girls will dance for joy, and the young men, as well as the old men will joy them. That time will be a time of joyful celebration.

The Lord declares that He will turn the people’s mourning into joy. He will personally comfort them, turning their sorrow into gladness. (Was there any other “god” who took such tender-loving care of their people? NO! Only Adonai, the One True God, does so.)

Isaiah supports this, telling us in his book of prophecy:

“It’ll be like that for those the Eternal One ransomed from captivity to return to Zion, Jerusalem. And they’ll come singing with joy. Overwhelming, never-ending joy will crown their heads with happiness and delight while desperation and depression melt away.” -Isaiah 51:11 (VOICE)

Make note, this is what happens when people choose to do things God’s way, when they choose to walk in obedience to their Lord.

They find true happiness: “Happy are the people who live pure lives. They follow the Lord’s teachings. Happy are the people who keep his rules. They ask him for help with their whole heart. They don’t do what is wrong. They follow his ways.” -Psalm 119:1-3 (ICB)

They find joy unspeakable and full of glory: “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy, receiving as the result [the outcome, the consummation] of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” -1 Peter 1:8-9 (VOICE).

They will no longer feel shame: “Instead of your [former] shame you will have a double portion; and instead of humiliation your people will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore in their land they will possess double [what they had forfeited]; everlasting joy will be theirs.” -Isaiah 61:7 (AMP)

They find peace, real peace: “And know that the peace of God (a peace that is beyond any and all of our human understanding) will stand watch over your hearts and minds in Jesus, the Anointed One.” -Philippians 4:7 (VOICE)

They will experience the blessings of the Lord: “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God…” -Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (NIV)

Consider something that David wrote about God removing our shame and our sorrow, and how we will react to His goodness to us:

“You did it: You turned my deepest pains into joyful dancing; You stripped off my dark clothing
    and covered me with joyful light. You have restored my honor. My heart is ready to explode, erupt in new songs! It’s impossible to keep quiet! Eternal One, my God, my Life-Giver, I will thank You forever.” -Psalm 30:11-12 (VOICE)

“The young girls will dance for joy, and menfolk—old and young—will take their part in all the fun; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and I will comfort them and make them rejoice, for their captivity with all its sorrows will be behind them.” -(TLB)

“All ages of people would celebrate because the Lord would change their mourning and sorrow into comfort and rejoicing. The priests would enjoy great abundance of blessing, and all the people would find satisfaction in the Lord for His goodness.” ~Thomas Constable

Walking in obedience to the Lord will bring us joy as well. Scripture tells us so:

• “Following your covenant laws gives me joy just as great riches give joy to others.” -Psalm 119:14 (NIRV)
• “And this is love: that we walk in accordance with His commandments and are guided continually by His precepts. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should [always] walk in love.” -2 John 1:6 (AMP)
• “Obey the Word of God. If you hear only and do not act, you are only fooling yourself.” -James 1:22 (NLV)

“The benefits of obedience far outweigh the cost of walking in disobedience. When you walk in obedience, joy will fill your life.” ~Billy Taylor

My friend, the long-term benefits of obedience to the Lord far outweigh the short-term perk of temporarily getting what we want, when we want it, otherwise known as disobedience to the Lord. Has your life been joyless? Have you been unhappy, experiencing guilt, and/or shame? Has the peace of the Lord been missing in your life? Do you feel like you are missing out on the blessings of the Lord? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, it is time to go to the Father and seek His face. Allow Him to show you what you need to repent of and change in your life. He wants you to experience all the benefits of walking in obedience to Him.

“Anyone who wants to know God—to walk closely with Him—must obey Him. Sounds like a strong statement, doesn’t it? But there is no way that we can come into a close relationship with the Lord, walk fully in THE BLESSING and enjoy the communion that our spirits desire without obeying Him.” ~Kenneth Copeland

My Prayer:

Adonai Elohim, my Great Lord, I want to experience all the benefits of walking in obedience to you. I know what it is like to walk in disobedience, the lack of joy, happiness, and blessing that comes with that, as well as the shame. I do not like how I feel when I have been disobedient. But the joy, and happiness, the peace and the blessings that come with obedience, they are amazing. So, Lord, I ask that you help me to walk faithfully in obedience to you. Help me to follow your commands. Help me to be quick to obey, listening to your still, small Voice. Walking with you fills me with peace, joy, happiness, and contentment. And that is what I want, that is what I need. So, Lord, I choose to walk with you.