In your comments, feel free to address some or all of the questions presented.
You are also free to discuss the devotional reading outside of the study guide questions.
Sunday questions are from the study guide supplied by Brethren Press.
PERSONAL CONNECTION
1. What moments this past week fostered a sense of fear, uncertainty, or dis-ease?
2. Where did you sense God’s presence and peace this week?
SCRIPTURE STUDY
1. Read Jeremiah 33:14-16. What stood out to you in this reading of the text?
2. What does it mean to live in a community called “The Lord is our righteousness”? Based on this title, what might God be calling us to do?
3. The prophet speaks these words of hope while in prison. What modern-day prisons are we experiencing or aware of today (related to inequality, etc.)?
4. How might this promise inspire fearlessness in us?
5. Based on the answers above, what plans might you make in the coming year to “release the captives”?
I sensed God’s presence and peace when Alex played the Postlude at church yesterday. Thank you, Alex.
Lois Whitmore
I have felt much the same as all of you this week, having heard about the new Covid variant. The first time I read this entry in the devotional was about a month or two ago, and at the time I was hopeful that this fall's variant was starting to run its course. "Surely," I thought "this thing can't go on until next January, for the next six months, for the next year. There's got to be an end in sight." As I reread the devotional today, it hit me that I am just like the kid in the car asking "Are we there yet?" In reality, I have no knowledge of what the next year will bring, and trying to predict it with my intensifying sense of pessimism is not helpful, nor will it bring about the change I am wishing for.
This past week, I really did find peace in relaxing time with just a few family members who I already see regularly, and I'm realizing that the change from the hustle and bustle of the regular holiday season is actually welcome. There are some silver linings after all. Wishing you all well and looking forward to interacting in this new way!
-Olivia Knight
I agree with Gina's truth that "it is hard to feel hopeful". What helps me is being in a community with brothers and sisters who are actively working toward justice. I don't believe God's promises could be fulfilled without them.
Just like Ellen, I too felt a great deal of fear and weariness and discouragement this week with the announcement of a new variant and the threat of higher rates of contagiousness and perhaps lower rates of defense from the vaccines. Feeling a sense of dis-ease is a good way of explaining my reaction. "O Lord, how long?" is also the way I feel and I long for some sort of clear pathway for the end of this pandemic, some milestones we can meet that would indicate progress and success on the journey. The word "surely" that Jeremiah uses can indicate certainty, but I know that people sometimes use that word with a hint of skepticism, too. Right now, it is hard to feel hopeful. Actually, I am afraid.
But in the midst of these feelings comes this refrain from the Iona Community. "Don't be afraid. My love is stronger. My love is stronger than your fear. Don't be afraid. My love is stronger. And I have promised, promised to be always near." I sing this to myself, and I find comfort.
This week, I have felt fear and weariness at rising COVID cases and now a new variant. I can relate to the question "Are we there yet?" Is what I feel anything near what the Israelites felt as they waited so much longer for the Lord to bestow His promised blessings on them?
These verses make some promises about blessings and justice and safety for Judah and Jerusalem--a righteous Branch of David who will maintain law and justice in the land. Do we have that same promise to which to look forward now? Are WE now that righteous branch who should be bringing about law and justice in our land?