Today’s reading:
Jeremiah 33:1-9
“And I will cause the captives of Judah and the captives of Israel to return, and will rebuild those places as at the first” (v.7)
To rebuild means to make or construct or form again, restore(to previous condition or state); to put into good order something that has been damaged or defective; remake; renovate; refresh or renew. One of the greatest promises of God in scripture is “restoration”. Many verses are telling of God’s love and willingness to restore, the very first of which was in Eden. When Adam and Eve disobeyed and, therefore, sinned (Gen 3), God immediately pronounced the planned provision for restoration (Gen 3:15) by reconciliation with him, through his Son, Jesus Christ (2 Tim 1:9-10). Therefore, God’s plan of restoration started from the reversal of the curse of sin and the ultimate restoration of fellowship with God. There are very many verses in scripture talking about restoration with or from God, in the Old and New Testaments (Ps 71:20-21; Zech. 9:12; etc). Also, the promises of God to rebuild are seen in many scripture verses. The most significant example is found in Today’s reading in verse 7, in which God promised to cause the captives of Judah and Israel to return to their original land, and also promised to rebuild the places as at the first.
The question to ask is, why rebuilding and restoration? These two words in their meanings, imply that there would have been a destruction, or disorder or damage to the original state of things. In Today’s reading passage, Prophet Jeremiah, amongst several Prophets like him in the Old Testament, was prophesying the return of the Israelites from exile in Assyria and Babylon, and God’s graciousness to rebuild and restore all lost to them. Israelites had been forced into captivity, from their promised land in Canaan (Gen 15:18-21), because they had sinned badly, including sins of disobedience to God’s commandments and idol worshipping (Ex 20:1-15), for which God continuously warned them, to no avail. They refused to stop or even repent. Incidentally, God had warned the Israelites before they arrived at the Promised Land, what He would do to them if they disobeyed his commandments, statutes and judgment (Lev 26:14-39). Given the character of God as a loving, forgiving and restoration Father, He, in the same breath, pronounced the restoration He would give if the Israelites confessed their iniquity and unfaithfulness to him. He promised to remember his covenant with their forefathers (ancestors) Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Lev 26:40-45).
True to his promises, God sent prophet Jeremiah with the rebuilding and restoration messages, amongst others by other prophets such as Isaiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, etc.
Specifically, from Today’s reading, the rebuilding and restoration God promised to the Israelites included: health and healing, abundance of peace and truth (v.6); return from captivity and rebuilding of old places as before (v7); cleansing from all their iniquity; pardon for all their iniquity and transgressions (v8). Other areas of restoration are in verses 11-26. God said when He performed restoration to Israel, some of the results would include praise and honour to him before all nations on earth, who shall hear all the good He did to Israel; and those nations shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and prosperity that He had provided to Israel (abundant restoration). The roles of men in God’s rebuilding and restoration should include: genuine repentance; a call on him; his promises tightly held on to (past, present and future); and fruitfulness.
As believers, we rest on the promises of God for restoration and have the hope that when we turn from our sins and repent, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all our unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). We are then restored to him. Above all, God has promised to restore all sinners who turn to him in faith, irrespective of background. Salvation is free!
CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud:
Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I believe and surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank You, Lord! If you said the above short prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your great promises of restoration.
Previous Lord, we are eternally grateful for reconciling us to ourselves and the Father, which translates to our restoration to you.
Dear Lord, help us to love you so that we run away from sins, and live righteous lives as examples to others.
Father, help us to take the message of reconciliation to Christ seriously so that we wake up to share the Gospel message, far and wide.
Father Almighty, please shake up the church and wake it up from its slumber, so that it will dispel the darkness from the world.
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