Taken from my Journal:

Sitting here at retreat, at Calvary Bible College Murietta, sipping coffee and musing. I’ve been feeling a little un-spiritual lately. Found some gems in Jeremiah 31 this morning, as God always knows how to cheer me up. I read about how Israel was sinful, and that God was the one who scattered them. Wondering if God is telling me something? But then knowing how often Israel sinned, and reading in Jeremiah how God has plans to ransom and restore them, blesses me and gives me peace.  

JEREMIAH 31:10-14  “HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD , O NATIONS, AND DECLARE IT IN THE COASTLANDS FAR AWAY; SAY, ‘HE WHO SCATTERED ISRAEL WILL GATHER HIM, AND WILL KEEP HIM AS A SHEPHERD KEEPS HIS FLOCK.’ 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 , OVER THE GRAIN, THE WINE, AND THE OIL, AND OVER THE YOUNG OF THE FLOCK AND THE HERD; THEIR LIFE SHALL BE LIKE A WATERED GARDEN, AND THEY SHALL LANGUISH NO MORE. 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. I WILL FEAST THE SOUL OF THE PRIESTS WITH ABUNDANCE, AND MY PEOPLE SHALL BE SATISFIED WITH MY GOODNESS, DECLARES THE LORD .”