Tender Care by Heidi Dru Kortman

Text: Jeremiah 31:7-9

“This is what the Lord says: ‘Sing with joy for Jacob, shout for the greatest of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, “Oh Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.” See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind, and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return. They will come with weeping, they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel’s father and Ephraim is my firstborn son.’”

Here’s a challenge for every day. How often is our attitude joyous? I am not overlooking the fact that much of every day is plain hard work, but do we do more grumbling than singing? According to this verse, we should be consistently full of joy, and expressing it, because of our identity as God’s remnant people.

In our eyes, a remnant seems unimportant, perhaps something to be discarded, but God has a much different perspective. His remnant is composed of people with true faith in his promises. No matter where we are on the earth, he knows us and provides what we need.

Although sadness and frustration of daily events can bring us to tears, the prayers that follow only enrich our relationship with God. As we live the days until we join God in heaven, he provides our physical necessities and the refreshing presence of his Holy Spirit, like a running stream. Our “path” to heaven is Christ, direct and smooth. If we remain on track with God’s will, our destination is a permanent home in his presence.

So how much praise do we express? Do the people who see us have any idea who we really are? Let’s not force the stones and dust to take over the work of praise we should be doing.

Heidi Dru Kortman DTM

God's gifts and call are irrevocable.

heididrukortman.com.

Heidi Dru Kortman, a CWG Apprentice graduate, ACFW member since 2004, and Word Weaver member has published devotionals in various newsletters, and a collected volume of devotionals. Her poetry, flash fiction, and short stories have appeared in small magazines, and a website. She is applying herself to the task of writing smoothly polished fiction.