Topic: Restoration Promised [Thursday March 30, 2017]
Text: Jeremiah 31:1-14
Key Verse: “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3).
Our God is a loving God. He will not for ever put away the prodigal son. When He sees elements of repentance in the backslider or sinner, He forgives because of His kindness, longsuffering and love. In application, this was exactly what happened to Israel in our text. Although a larger part of them had been sent into captivity because of their sins, there was God’s promise of restoration because of His love.
God in this passage gives assurance to His people that He will again take them into covenant relationship with Him. He will settle them again. They shall have a joyful return to their land after many years of captivity. During the captivity, Israel was scattered and became a miserable flock. The change in their fortune is compared by the prophets to a shepherd seeking His lost sheep and feeding them again in green pastures.
Taking the whole chapter together, we can see the restoration of Israel generally and specifically that of Judah to the Promised Land. At the end of the age, God will take Israel into a new covenant relationship with Himself from which they have been cut hundreds of years ago because of their rebellion. During this time, all shall come to the knowledge of God and the earth shall be filled with songs of joy. Those who have given their lives to Christ now and yielded to the Holy Spirit, will have their sins remembered no more. With the great and wonderful love of God shown to us, we should always remain grateful to Him.
Thought for the day: Taking God’s forbearance for granted is as deadly as taking a snake by its tail.
Bible Reading in one Year: Obadiah-Jonah
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.
