“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Jeremiah 11:12-14 NIV
Our Lord makes this promise to the nation of Israel, through the Prophet Jeremiah. He makes this promise to us too, through his word. The Lord loves his children so much, he is always there to help us in our hour of need. He is always one cry of repentance away.
Later, after the Lord deals harshly with the children of Israel for their disobedience, Jeremiah, at the request of some of the repentant, seeks the Lord on their behalf.
The Lord shares intimately with Jeremiah:
He said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your petition, says: “If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I have relented concerning the disaster I have inflicted on you. Jeremiah 42:9-10 NIV
The Lord established a pattern of second chances for all of his children. This not only applies to his favored nation of Israel, but to all who have proclaimed his son, Jesus, their Lord and God.
It is written:
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 3:6 NIV
So we too, are promised his grace and mercy, as his children! Even when we feel all is lost, when we’ve turned our back on him and lost our sight of him, he delivers on his great promises!
We all know the story of Samson, and can probably point out every time he veered from the path the Lord provided. We can all identify with his ultimate fall, yet the Lord had another plan! It is written;
“But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved. Judges 16:22 NIV
When they stood him among the pillars, Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them.” Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. Then Samson prayed to the Lord,“Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other,Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived. Judges 16:26-29 NIV
Keep close to the Lord, under all circumstances seek him out – watch as he allows the hair to grow back!
Love one another.
Barnabas
Special thanks for this guest submission by Barnabas.
Wonderful encouragement!