DCLM Daily Manna Tuesday 26 September 2023
TOPIC: There Is Hope for You
TEXT: Jeremiah 31:18-23 (KJV)
18 I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the Lord my God.
19 Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.
20 Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord.
21 Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps: set thine heart toward the highway, even the way which thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy cities.
22 How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the Lord hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.
23 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring again their captivity; The Lord bless thee, O habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness.
KEY VERSE
Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.
(Jeremiah 31:20)
DCLM Daily Manna Tuesday 26 September 2023 MESSAGE
Present experiences, especially when they are not pleasant, tend to influence our character and conduct in a moment of time. We form the impression that all is lost and that help can no longer come to us. This pushes us into self-pity and sometimes we literally begin to weep for ourselves in the face of what we perceive as a hopeless situation. Just when we least expect it, God steps in to help us.
Israel, represented here by the tribe of Ephraim, had been taken into captivity. Their lives had been characterised by lamentation and bitter weeping, as they daily watched the destruction of their young ones. It was at such a time that God sent a message of comfort to them through Prophet Jeremiah to stop weeping and that He had not forgotten them.
READ DCLM Daily Manna Monday 25 September 2023 – Remember the Last Day
In fact, He promised to reward their work, bring them back from captivity and show mercy to them because He remembered and yearned to fellowship with them again. They would become a pleasant testimony to the justice and holiness of God. They would prosper and flourish in their land again. With such good news, they needed no other encouragement to repent of their sins and turn again to God.
Irrespective of how deep in sin anyone may have gone, God still loves him or her. He does not enjoy a sinner’s pain and sorrow. It saddens Him to see anyone suffer. He has gracious and glorious plans for everyone. All He expects is for the penitent seeker to abandon all sinful ways and turn to Him wholeheartedly. The ball is in everyone’s court now. Make the first move and return to God, and watch Him unfurl His blessings upon you.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Hope is the best tonic for a sick heart.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Proverbs 30-31
