Rachel weeping, conclusion, and Friday slowdown

We've studied this week some verses that included the phrase, "Rachel weeping." We can see that there are parallels between the grief and pain that Rachel suffered, and that which we suffer today. 

We can take hope in God's words to Rachel:

"Restrain your voice from weeping
and your eyes from tears,
for your work will be rewarded,"
declares the Lord.
"They will return from the land of the enemy,
So there is hope for your future,"
declares the Lord.
"Your children will return to their own land."
(Jer. 31:16-17)

He instructed her to refrain from crying and to dry her tears. He tells us that He has loved us with an everlasting love. He laid out at least ten different comforts that He provides to all of us -- His precious promises to us in our pain. One of my favorite passages is contained in that thirty-first chapter:

This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
    after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds
    and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.
34 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
    or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
    from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares the Lord.
“For I will forgive their wickedness
    and will remember their sins no more.” (verses 33-34)

What an awesome promise to Israel, and to all of us who have come after that time . . . He will put His law in our minds and our hearts! And will remember our sins no more!

So, modern day Rachels, it's OK to weep. He understands our pain. But don't forget about this hope:
God shall wipe away all tears and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain. Praise the Lord!