Jeremiah’s heart was broken at the state of his people, both their disobedience to God’s Word and their intransigence at his pleas for repentance. Because of this, Jeremiah would speak often of his tears (Jer. 9:1; 13:17; 14:17). Jeremiah was continually sorrowful, and there can be little doubt that this state of things disturbed his sleep.

In today’s text, we see something very different. For once, Jeremiah had a good night’s sleep. In fact, it had been “sweet.” Throughout his book he had been prophesying many hard things, but the Lord now showed him something else: “There is hope in your future” (31:17). God would bring the nation back and have mercy upon Judah and Jerusalem. He would create “a new thing in the earth” (v. 22), resulting in the nation’s blessing in the kingdom. There would even be an amazing “new covenant” of forgiveness and blessing in store for Israel in the future (vv. 27–40).

Jeremiah awoke from his sleep refreshed by his sweet rest. The wonderful news revealed in the previous day’s vision had reinvigorated him. Despite the grim outlook for the nation, the future would be bright. When he awoke he “looked around.” Seeing God’s ultimate purpose had changed the prophet’s perspective.

How much more for us who are partakers of the heavenly calling, joint-heirs with Christ, who will reign with Him! We know from the Scriptures that “perilous times will come” (2 Tim. 3:1), but we have before us “the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). Jeremiah had seen the future, and it was bright with glory.