Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

Every cloud has a silver lining.

 

You probably have heard that phrase before. Literally it probably means every storm gives way to nice weather. Figuratively it probably means that some good will come out of every bad situation.

 

The figurative definition may not be strictly true, yet the phrase can provide comfort when we are going through a difficult period in our lives.

 

Today’s reading is Jeremiah 23:1-8.

 

Jeremiah, one of God’s prophets, lived just prior to the exile of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) to Babylon. He was warning the Israelites of their pending plight.

 

Jeremiah warned individuals of their sin, but he was particularly harsh on Judah’s leaders. The secular and religious leaders had not been true to God’s word. They were leading God’s people away from God. The Israelites were worshipping other gods, and some of the leaders encouraged the ritual of child sacrifice to these false gods.

 

If that were the end of the story, Judah would be doomed.

 

Jeremiah continued with his prophesying. He said, “ ’The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will raise up to David a righteous branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety.’ “

 

Jeremiah, of course, is telling the Israelites that in spite of their sin, God will send a savior who will protect them from the eternal ravages that sin brings.

 

Jesus came from the tribe of Judah, the very tribe whose shortcomings Judah pointed out. That means that Jesus descended from Judah, a son of Jacob.

 

Judah’s family was broken. Judah was an adulterer and his children were spiritually messed up. Eleven of his children sold one child, Joseph, into slavery.

 

Judah’s family was messed up and broken. Fifteen hundred years later the tribe of Judah was messed up and broken. From these two groups Jesus came and saved God’s people.

 

Today, we are messed up and broken. Yet, as God’s people, we too have been redeemed by Jesus.

 

Fortunately for us, this cloud had a silver lining!