Thoughts for another day

Oct. 15, 2013.

Today's verse: Jer. 30:17a. For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

Israel strayed away from God and committed abomination after abomination.  God sent many prophets to warn them and turn from their sinful ways.  But they ignored His prophets and held them to scorn (Jer. 29:19).  They thought nothing would happen to them for the Holy Temple was in their midst and they knew God promised, when the Temple was dedicated to Him by Solomon, His Presence would always be in that place.  Of course, in saying this God willed that since they knew His Presence was there, they would always fear and revere Him.  On the contrary, it made them arrogant and misappropriate God’s promises, thinking they could sin as much as they wanted and still God would protect them because His Presence was there.  God put them through massive tribulation and eventually uprooted them from their place, exiling them. 

This background is given so we’re able to understand what Jeremiah prophesied as God told him to and the terrible time the Israelites had because of the Babylonians.  In all this, God never forgot the covenant He made with them, even to Abraham.  And God in His love and mercy for His chosen people forgot His anger and reached out to them.  Through Jeremiah, He told them that He would restore their health and heal them of all the miseries they suffered.  In this God gave them hope that they would once again see their land and be put back in the position they were in. 

You know, sometimes when I think of why the evil aren’t punished and I’m angry before God, He gently points out my own sins to me and the love that He has shown me.  I see in them even that though He had punished me bitterly, He yet thought of me and brought me to the place I belonged and healed my wounds which I had suffered as a result of my erroneous ways.  I then understand the mercy and love of my God and realise how intense His love for me is; so as to enfold me, a great sinner, once again as if nothing had happened.  What a wonderful God we serve, no?