https://odb.org/2024/05/05/tears-of-joy
It is paradoxical that sometimes, over the course of our lives, we shed tears of joy. This is because we normally cry in response to sadness and not joy. Yet there are occurrences that make us cry even though it was actually a happy occasion. For me, I tear up when I see my boys achieve a milestone in their lives. For example, they did well in their exams despite the tough and challenging times preparing. Or there was a school sports day, I found out my eldest won many athletic running medals when he was 14. Or just witnessing them performing their part on stage when they were in kindergarten. I know I will definitely shed tears of joy when I see them on their wedding day! Weddings are always touching, and I have teared before just seeing young couples get married, especially those I knew had gone through quite a bit to get to that point.
In the prophetic books of the Bible (including Jeremiah), two prevalent themes are discipline/punishment and restoration. Of course, before disciplining Israel, the LORD would have given them ample encouragement, exhortation, and warnings. Despite all that, they still persisted in their disobedience, and, as a result, God allowed the Assyrians and Babylonians to defeat and capture them and bring them into captivity back to their own countries. Their lives were spared, but they ended up enslaved, and Jerusalem and the Temple were in ruins. Nevertheless, the LORD later, through His prophets, spoke about restoring them and bringing them back to Israel.
In Jeremiah 39:9, the LORD said, “Tears of joy will stream down their faces, and I will lead them home with great care.”
It is my prayer and hope that if we have strayed away from the Lord or His calling for our lives that we will soon experience tears of joy as the Lord brings us back home to Him, to the place where we should be. The place where we belong. Confess our sins and rebellious ways before Him in repentance. He is quick to forgive but slow to anger. Put our trust in Him, and He will make our paths straight!
Ronnie's Thoughts 