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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Zechariah 1:3
“Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to Me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
Return means ‘come back’. Another constant ‘Ring of Truth’ in Scripture!
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). God made us; Adam and Eve turned away. Abraham went into Egypt. The Hebrews and the Israelite Kings turned away from God. God constantly watched and waited for them to return.
Jesus gave us the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15 to demonstrate how (God) the Father is always watching for and waiting for the return of his son(s) (and child(ren)). It is one of the greatest attributes of God. While He is totally pure, holy and righteous and has ‘passed sentence’ against sinfulness, independence and rebellion, He constantly waits for the wayward (independent) and rebellious to return.
Why? Because He is a good God and the Eternal Optimist. The reason for His optimism is that He has made a way for us to be able to return. It is another reminder that the choice is always up to us.
“Do not be like your forefathers … they would not listen” (v 4). We don’t have to carry on the way we were brought up (if it was wrong). We don’t have to carry on submitting to peer pressure. We don’t have to carry on in ‘the ways of the world’. We do have a choice and the choice is up to us. As Paul says, “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould” (Romans 12:2 JBP). Break free.
How do I break free? I can’t in my own strength. I can do it only in the Lord’s strength. But the key is Return. Return. Return to God. Confess your sin, rebellion, waywardness, independence and faithlessness. Then the Blood of Jesus will wash you clean from the past and enable you to be ‘set free.’ (See also 1 John 1:9.) The Holy Spirit will cause you to have the strength and power to not only break free but also stay free.
“Then they repented (and confessed)” (v 6). So can we. The ‘Good News’ is that this not only applies to the unsaved but to us, Christians, as well. The Christian life is hard and Satan does all he can to raise doubts about God, our self-worth and our spiritual state. He falsely accuses us before God and others. He distracts us. He condemns us and does all he can to make us stumble, turn away from God and fall and then feel totally helpless, guilty and inadequate. On top of all that, our ‘sinful human nature’ is a constant challenge, trying to stop us following Jesus and being ‘sold out’ for Him.
The call comes again to us too, “Return.” “Return to Me.”
Although some of us have been saved already, the call is still the same. Return.
Nothing you have done or ever will do will be able to invalidate your ability to –
“Return to Me.” No feelings of failure, inadequacy or helplessness can negate either the call to “Return” or the power to set you free.
God’s call and His enabling are not dependent on us. They rely on the grace, power and unchanging character of a loving, good and faithful Heavenly Father.
Don’t delay – Return today.
And then you will know once more the cleansing and freedom, peace and excitement, joy and power all the ‘Children of God’ are designed to enjoy – constantly.
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