SATURDAY, 2 DECEMBER 2023
TEXT:
Jeremiah 31:1-22
1:
“At that time,” declares the Lord, “I will be the God of all the families of
Israel, and they will be my people.”
2:
This is what the Lord says: “The people who survive the sword will find favor
in the wilderness; I will come to give rest to Israel.”
3:
The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an
everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
4:
I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Again you
will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful.
5:
Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant
them and enjoy their fruit.
6:
There will be a day when watchmen cry out on the hills of Ephraim, ‘Come, let
us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God.’”
7:
This is what the Lord says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of
the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, ‘Lord, save your people, the
remnant of Israel.’
8:
See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends
of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and
women in labor; a great throng will return.
9:
They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead
them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble,
because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.
10:
“Hear the word of the Lord, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: ‘He
who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a
shepherd.’
11:
For the Lord will deliver Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger
than they.
12:
They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in
the bounty of the Lord— the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, the young of
the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will
sorrow no more.
13:
Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn
their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of
sorrow.
14:
I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my
bounty,” declares the Lord.
15:
This is what the Lord says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great
weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because
they are no more.”
16:
This is what the Lord says: “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.
17:
So there is hope for your descendants,” declares the Lord. “Your children will
return to their own land.
18:
“I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me like an unruly
calf, and I have been disciplined. Restore me, and I will return, because you
are the Lord my God.
19:
After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I
was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’
20:
Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak
against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have
great compassion for him,” declares the Lord.
21:
“Set up road signs; put up guideposts. Take note of the highway, the road that
you take. Return, Virgin Israel, return to your towns.
22:
How long will you wander, unfaithful Daughter Israel? The Lord will create a
new thing on earth— the woman will return to the man.”
(New
International Version Holy Bible)
TOPIC:
A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO THE EXILED
The
prophetic covenant God had with Israel in Deuteronomy 30:1-5 ends in disaster
and exile, as Moses the servant of God prophesied or anticipated. Indeed, Moses
anticipated Israel's departure from the path of righteousness in Deuteronomy
30:1-5.
The
Church of Jesus Christ has hope, despite the unabated attacks, the senseless
killing sprees on Christian communities, lop - sided appointments against
Christians, especially at the Federal Government level, and victimization of
Christians, especially in northern Nigeria.
The
hope of the Church will be predicated on her obedience to the Lord. The best
thing for the Church to do is to return unto the Lord and He will give us rest.
He will restore us again and the Church will sing with joy to the Lord.
QUESTION:
As a Church, are we ready and willing to meet God's conditions for restoration?
PRAYER:
Dear Lord Jesus, please forgive us, Your Church, for breaking the covenant we
had with You to be the Church that You want us to be. Amen.
Remain
Blessed
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