Words of Restoration

JEREMIAH    CHAPTER 30

The Lord gave the message to Jeremiah to write a record of everything he said to him. Because the time would be coming when he would restore the fortunes of his people of Israel and Judah and bring them home to the land he gave their ancestors. The Lord said that he had heard the people crying and the fear and trembling and he asked about the men. "Do they give birth to babies?" he asked. "Then why do they stand ashen faced with hands pressed against their sides like a woman about to give birth?" There has never been such a time of terror, yet it will end and they will be saved.

On the day ,says the Lord, when I break the yoke from their necks and snap their chains, foreigners will no longer be their masters and the Lord said his people would serve the Lord and David their king whom he would raise up for them. So go ahead and do not be afraid or dismayed, for I will, says the Lord, bring you home again and your children will return from exile. Israel will have peace and quiet in their land. I must, says the Lord, destroy the nations where I scattered you and I must discipline you.

The Lord called the suffering of Israel and Judah, "an incurable bruise, a terrible wound". This wound has no cure and the Lord needs to punish them because their sins were many and guilt was great. But in that coming day, he promises to  give them all back their health and heal their wounds.

Now you are called an outcast. Nobody cares for Jerusalem, but when the Lord brings everyone back home, your fortunes will be restored and the city will be rebuilt on her ruins. The palace will be reconstructed and there will be joy and songs of thanksgiving. And the people will have their own ruler again and he will not be a foreigner and the Lord will invite him to approach.

BIBLE NOTES: The reference to David is not to King David, but to his famous descendant, the Messiah.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? The words of restoration are joyeous. Imagine the lifting of hearts across Babylon to the captives in all cities across the globe. Have you ever felt that kind of joyousness? Most believers have.

Bitter and sweet are mixed in the messages of this chapter. Beside the release of captives, come the thought of punishment by the Lord. He cannot let punishment be forgotten. Just as in our day, he punishes us for our sins. But he always leaves the word "hope" for us to cling to. We are treated in much the same way as the people of Jerusalem and Judah. We get tied to our possessions and forget our way to God. But don't ever forget the Lord's compassion and mercy. He loves us as his children!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:


HEALTH: Pray for Gabe.

Pray for Gary and Steve my insurance men who have prostate cancer.

Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.

Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.

Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with a form of MS.

Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.

Pray for Gary Summers, my friend from church, who has cancer.

Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who has been undergoing chemo. Pray also for Charly who longs to be 100 percent again and walk without an aid.

Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.

SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary

RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John

LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian

SUPPORT: Pray for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom. Pray for our famers and those who raise livestock during this terrible drought.