“The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt.’”
Jeremiah 31:3-4
Jeremiah, “the weeping prophet,” was a young priest during the time of King Josiah (626 B.C.). And there was plenty to weep about. He suffered persecution at the hands of his own people for prophesying about the captivity which would come as a result of the sins and idolatry of Israel. But he also spoke about the restoration that God promised, especially the reminder of God’s everlasting, restoring love.
What does it mean to restore? You might think of it in terms of restoring a piece of furniture, something I’ve done several times. There is a refinishing process, starting with the application of chemicals to remove the old finish. Once I’ve gotten down to the bare wood, the stain goes on to bring out the beauty of the grain as it was meant to be.
When our souls are weary and marred by sin, we need to go through the refinishing, restoring process. The master craftsman takes us in hand to work on us. There is restoration as He pours out His love in a variety of ways. We know that we are seen, heard, and valued by our heavenly Father.
What does it mean to restore? You might think of it in terms of restoring a piece of furniture, something I’ve done several times. There is a refinishing process, starting with the application of chemicals to remove the old finish. Once I’ve gotten down to the bare wood, the stain goes on to bring out the beauty of the grain as it was meant to be.
When our souls are weary and marred by sin, we need to go through the refinishing, restoring process. The master craftsman takes us in hand to work on us. There is restoration as He pours out His love in a variety of ways. We know that we are seen, heard, and valued by our heavenly Father.
Scripture Focus
Jeremiah 31:1-6
Insight
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God!” (1 John 3:1)
Bible In A Year
- Genesis 20-21
- Psalm 10
- Matthew 16-17
