Topic: Hope For The Hopeless [Thursday January 19, 2017]
Text: Jeremiah 30:15-24
Key Verse: “For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after” (Jeremiah 30:17).
When one is sick to the point of death or suffering from any other kind of severe affliction or oppression that makes one to be despised or rejected, one is likely to be hopeless especially when there is no ray of hope from the other side of the tunnel in that precarious situation. Surely, hope will come when someone of power and influence promises healing or deliverance.
From the passage of today, the Israelite captives suffered justly for their sins and could not help themselves. The Lord promised to appear for them, punish their oppressors and heal their wounds. Also, like the Israelites in the passage, every self-made effort for healing or deliverance will prove futile for as long as we neglect the heavenly Advocate. The dealings of His grace with every true convert, and restored backslider, are the same in effect as His dealings with the Jews of old. Through the benefit of Christ as Advocate, Mediator and High Priest of our profession, we now receive the favour of God in our afflictions.
God has promised to heal the sick, deliver the oppressed and to be an enemy to our enemies. He has promised to fight our battles for us. Other God‘s promises for believers in the text are many; our dwelling places will be rebuilt and the Lord will increase us once again. He will be our God, and we will be truly His people with unprecedented joy. How we need to make our ways right with God now by repentance and turning to Christ as our Lord and Saviour so that we will be healed and delivered of all infirmities and afflictions. God is ready to heal and bring joy back to all who dare to ask Him.
There is also hope for backsliders who will retrace their steps back to the Lord as their afflictions will come to an end. Those who neglect so great salvation and kind gesture of the Lord, will face His full wrath and anger.
Thought for the day: It is only the foolhardy who will spurn the favour and kindness of God.
Bible Reading in one Year: Acts 11-12
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
