“In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God. They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.” (Jeremiah 50:4,5)
There are times when we must walk through a valley of sorrow and tears; there is no getting around it. The day demands we get up and go forth, but we are in no way looking forward to what is ahead of us.
The Lord’s people faced just such a time when their enemies were strong and captivity was upon them. What was the silver lining in the cloud that hung over them “in those days”? That in their “going and weeping” they would also “seek the Lord their God.” In that worst of days their faces would be toward Him and once again they would join themselves to Him in a covenant bond of fellowship.
In all our affliction the Lord is afflicted also. When we are bowed down, He bows down toward us with an outstretched hand of mercy. He is the God of the poor and needy. Some days drive us to our knees. When we are forced to draw near to God, He draws near to us. “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
Don’t be afraid of trouble ahead as long as God goes with you. We have more to fear from sunny days of prosperity in which God is forgotten and unneeded. Ask the way to Zion, though you head there weeping.