It’s time to Return

Jeremiah 4

In verse 1 we see the ultimate goal. It says, “If you return, O Israel, declares the Lord, to me you should return. If you remove your detestable things from my presence, and do not waver…”

Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet who was called at a young age to proclaim the word of God to Judah. He was warning them to turn from their sin as Babylon is going to attack them and destroy Jerusalem. We read on Thursday that they have turned from God and forgotten about who He is. This nation was still doing sacrifices but they were also worshiping idols too. They did the service but their hearts were far from God. Jeremiah’s job was to give the warning of what will happen unless they return to the Lord.

In this chapter we see that not only did Judah receive the warning but God also gave them hope. That is one thing that the Bible always does. It points out the wrong that is done, such as sin, but we also read the hope on what can change. We are sinners, who have forgotten about God just like Judah. We may not have started worshiping some statue as god but we do forget about God and put other things (materialistic stuff) above God and treat those things as a god. But just like there is a warning there also is a chance for redemption.

In 2nd Peter 3:9~ We see that the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you , not wishing that any would perish, but that all should reach repentance. God wants mankind to repent, to return. The best illustration of this is the parable Jesus gives of the prodigal son. Read Luke 15:11-32 and you can see the example that Jesus gives of returning to the Father. We were created to be in a relationship with God but because of sin we have been separated from Him. We as sinners have run away from the Father and his purpose with a relationship. Where is there hope for us to return to the Father? It is in Christ, as he died on the cross and rose again from death and conquered death and sin for us to come to the Father. Where are you at? Have you forgotten God? Have you run away from home (spiritually speaking)? It’s time to return, it’s time to ask for forgiveness for your sin (1st John 1:9). Do not take advantage of the time that God has given you, return now, as we do not know what tomorrow has for us. God is there willing to forgive those that want forgiveness. Ask God to forgive you of your sin. I will be praying for you all.