Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 29, 2016
See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are! 1 John 3:1
When I came to Christ, no one warned me that desires for the things of the world could tug so strongly on my heart. I had no idea that I would sometimes be tempted to worship many other things and stray from the only One who was worthy of all of my praise. And no one told me how God would relentlessly chase me in spite of my fickle affections for Him.
His persistent pursuit of my heart has sometimes amazed me, and sometimes brought me to tears. The grace of God is mind blowing when we consider how steadfast, unchanging and faithful is His love, not because of how good we are, but because of how good He is.
“Long ago the Lord said to Israel: ‘I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself’” (Jeremiah 31:3).
In scripture, God’s gracious love pursuit in spite of our sin is demonstrated in His relationship with Israel, an adulterous nation who served other gods, and practiced pagan religion. Like my heart—and perhaps yours—can sometimes be, Israel was unfaithful to a love that would never let her go, but God still pursued.
The third chapter of Jeremiah is a beautiful rendition of this chase of love. Four times, in fifteen verses, God says, “Return to me” to His people, after they have wandered and committed adultery with other gods, and other loves. Only a man who really loves his wife, asks her to come back so many times after she has repeatedly cheated on him. This is the kind of love the Lord has for us. It’s the kind of love that he has for you. If you’ve recently found a greater love than God in work, a relationship, money, ambition, possessions, or approval, he is saying, “Return to me.” He longs for you to come back home to Him. There is no criteria for your return, only an honest and genuine desire to renew your relationship with him and a contrite and repentant heart. Won’t you let Him be your all?
“Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you” (Isaiah 49:15)!
Prayer
Lord, how gracious you are. I never need fear that you will not take me back after I have sinned. I need never fear your rejection when I come to you with a heart willing to repent. Thank you for loving me with such grace!Application
Do you believe that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross guarantees His love for you is unfailing? Take a minute today and thank Him for His sacrifice on the cross. And, if you need to confess sin, do that too.Related Reading
Hosea 11:4; Ephesians 2:4-5; Titus 3:4-5Post/Tweet today
God’s love will never let you go. #WisdomHunters #ReturntoMeWorship Resource
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