Seasons

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.”

Matthew 18:12-14

For all the spiritual highs and lows, for all the times we choose to go on as a spiritual wanton, the LORD is always faithful and beckons us to come back to Him as we are. Even the very act of returning to Him is an acknowledgement for having wronged Him and our utter need for Him, the humility that is pleasing to the Father.

To anyone walking on a distant land, He says, “Return, O backsliding children.”

“Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say:

‘Return, backsliding Israel,’ says the Lord;
‘I will not cause My anger to fall on you.
For I am merciful,’ says the Lord;
‘I will not remain angry forever.
13 Only acknowledge your iniquity,
That you have transgressed against the Lord your God,
And have scattered your charms
To alien deities under every green tree,
And you have not obeyed My voice,’ says the Lord.

14 “Return, O backsliding children,” says the Lord; “for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. 15 And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

Jeremiah 3:12-14

God is faithful to a nation inclined to reject Him and the same faithfulness is extended to the one belonging to the bride of Christ whom He has betrothed to Himself.

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”

2 Timothy 2:13

[Image Credit: Photographer unknown via dailymail]