Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Hope for Restoration

I want to thank Carla for her words of encouragement. Her comments are mentioned on my last posting, "Stop Everything." Carla you reminded me of this verse found in Jeremiah chapter 31:3-4 It reads... 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. I will rebuild you, my virgin Israel. You will again be happy and dance merrily with your tambourines."

This promise isn't only for the tribes of Israel, but for all people who put their trust in God. Restoration is our hope during times when we feel distant or disobedient. God reaches out to us with kindness motivated by His deep and everlasting love for us. As Carla mentions in her comments to encourage me through my trials and weakness, one day, I'll see how God's love carried me through this time. One things for sure, God loves us all with an everlasting love. A love that never quits. The great thing about these verses is that we can see that God loves us so much that he will draw us back to himself. The joy we felt before, the hunger we once had, all will one day be experienced again. We will once again sing and dance and be happy.

Isn't it wonderful to know that the valleys we go through, the ups and downs in our lives, God's main concern is for us to know that He loves us as we are. There's nothing we can do that will ever make him loves us less than He always has and always will. He never leaves us. When we stray He draws us back to himself and restores us to a right relationship with him. It's a promise. With unfailing love God draws us to himself.

Such encouraging words. Thank you Carla. May God keep you happy and dancing with music in your heart.

Your brother in Christ.

Steve

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to say Thank You, it's been a couple of days since I have had the chance to read your blog, it's such a encouraging place to be. It is real and I know it comes from your heart. Sorry to hear of the suffering with your son, but I too have had my experience in dealing with that in relationships that are very valuable to me. We keep the faith and never stop praying. Have a Wonderful Day - In his Love, Carla