231. Build, Adorn, Make Merry
Jeremiah 31:4 Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with the tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.
The promise of the Lord for the Exiles of Jeremiah’s day is that they will return from Exile and life will return to the normal of God’s design. Through Biblical extension, the generalized promise for all believers in Christ says that we shall return to the Land and to the Lord: when we are saved God will build us, adorn us with musical instruments, and we will dance and make merry. This comes true for us when Jesus was born, lived, died, and rose for us.
The profound change that occurs in the life of those who repent and believe the Gospel shows itself in expressions of strength and joy. First the Lord builds us up, and when He does it we are indeed built. In the Kingdom He restores everything to order, peace, and safety. The building goes on in the heart. The Spirit takes what has been lost and broken down and puts it all back together into the strong building and safe home that God created for every man. Through Christ, the Lord restores each of us to the former glory and strength of the Creator’s original purpose of life.
The Lord will adorn us with tambourines, that is, He provides music and dancing and worship and praise, for we have been brought back and redeemed. When the Prodigal Son returned his father prepared the fattened calf to eat and celebrate with a feast of dancing and music. So there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. The father, the angels, and all who are with you celebrate and make merry.
Every time we hear the Gospel and repent and believe it we make merry in our hearts to the Lord. This is what being broken and built, lost and found, dead and alive is all about: More Joy. Receive the good news of great joy and go on your way rejoicing. Make merry; celebrate with a party in the heart. Repent and believe daily to keep the party going without end.