He brazenly told me of his life as both a drug user and dealer. I strived to show him that I cared as I described the real and fulfilling life that can be found only in Jesus. He described the death and destruction that he had experienced. My instinct was to try to rescue him, to help him find restoration in God. But, after just a few minutes, he said goodbye and walked away. As I watched him slip into the shadows of the streets, I silently lamented.
Jeremiah was lamenting the destruction of his nation Judah and his treasured city Jerusalem. Most of his people had been destroyed or forced into exile in Babylon. With eyes filled with tears and a heavy heart, he called out to God: “LORD, remember what has happened to us. See how we have been disgraced!” (Lamentations 5:1). He acknowledged the sins of his people that had led to their destruction (Lamentations 5:7). Then he admitted that no human power or remedy could “rescue” them (Lamentations 5:8).
Just like the young drug dealer I talked with, the people of Judah desperately needed the rescuing, restoring power of God.
As he surveyed the condition of his people, Jeremiah plaintively stated, “Joy has left our hearts” (Lamentations 5:15). Why? Because of the brutal things that had been done to them (Lamentations 5:8-18). But instead of dwelling in self-pity or despair, the prophet lifted his eyes to heaven and proclaimed, “LORD, you remain the same forever!” (Lamentations 5:19). He fervently prayed, “Restore us, O LORD, and bring us back to you again! Give us back the joys we once had!” (Lamentations 5:21).
Joy and restoration can be found in Jesus. You have a choice today. Don’t slip into the shadows, but humble yourself before God. Seek His love and healing power, for He alone can restore us.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Psalm 1:1-6
More:
Read 2 Chronicles 7:14 and consider what is required before God will do His restoring work.
Next:
What sinful attitudes or behaviors do you need to bring to God? Why is He the only One who can truly restore your life?
ghchong on May 12, 2014 at 12:16 am
Even atheist who profess to know the truth are not far from God. Rom 2:14-16 (MSG) When outsiders who have never heard of God’s law follow it more or less by instinct, they confirm its truth by their obedience. They show that God’s law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within them that echoes God’s yes and no, right and wrong. Their response to God’s yes and no will become public knowledge on the day God makes his final decision about every man and woman. The Message from God that I proclaim through Jesus Christ takes into account all these differences.
Tom Felten on May 12, 2014 at 11:05 am
ghchong, this is great encouragement from God’s Word. Yes, even the person we might think is far, far from God can be restored by His amazing grace!
BearPair on May 12, 2014 at 4:27 am
Excellent reminder of how our lives today still mirror the lives & times well over 2000 years ago. We need to be on our knees, weeping wt our Father in heaven to show us how to bring restoration to those still in need. God never forces His way on us… we must be willing to take that first step.
Thanks Tom! 🙂
Tom Felten on May 12, 2014 at 11:07 am
Thanks for sharing, BearPair. Like the “weeping prophet” Jeremiah, our tears should flow for those who are far from God and afflicted by sin. But, Praise God, we have hope that He can change hearts and lives!
BearPair on May 12, 2014 at 6:29 pm
And that’s a hope we can count on!
Gary Shultz on May 12, 2014 at 7:06 am
Thanks, its always good to be reminded of God’s redeeming power……. If I could be as bold to Hi-jack your attention to a tech issue. The links from the home page do not work. I have been trying to get here for over a week. I find the only link from the other pages that will bring me here is from “Strength for the Journey” Joel S. page. If you could get the attention of the powers to be it would be helpful. Sorry for the intrusion.
Tom Felten on May 12, 2014 at 11:11 am
Gary, thanks for bringing this issue to our attention. I just checked and all the links from the RBC Ministries home page are working. If you continue to experience challenges using them, perhaps you’re experiencing a cache issue. Clearing the cache/history in your browser should do the trick!
gshafer11 on May 12, 2014 at 8:37 am
Hi Gary,
Good morning. I hope you had a nice weekend.
I was able to find this page by conducting a google search for our daily journey, typing ourdailyjourney.org into the address bar of the firefox browser, and bookmarking this webpage on the firefox toolbar (now I just click on the tab and it takes me right to the link). Perhaps one of these strategies might work for you.
Have a great week.
George
Tom Felten on May 12, 2014 at 2:09 pm
George, so glad you’ve bookmarked ODJ. That’s a great way to click through to each day’s new post! Also, thank you for sharing your method with Gary and the ODJ community.
Roxanne Robbins on May 12, 2014 at 1:28 pm
Your post, Tom, coincides nicely with the passage I was reflecting on this morning:
“The righteous person faces many troubles,
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;
not one of them is broken!” (Psalm 24:19-20)
Tom Felten on May 12, 2014 at 2:16 pm
Thanks, Roxanne. These verses reflect what Jesus said—that we will face “trials and sorrows” in this world (John 16:33). But praise God that He is there to rescue us and that Jesus has overcome the world!
dami21 on May 13, 2014 at 9:09 am
God’s word is powerful and it is Him I am holding unto in my situation asking Him to restore balance and rescue me. Please I would like you to pray that He makes a way for me where there seems to be no way.
Sheridan Voysey on May 21, 2014 at 3:45 am
‘Don’t slip into the shadows, but humble yourself before God.’ Wow. Thanks Tom for this strong reminder of the grace and power of the One who liberates, and how we access it.
Tom Felten on May 21, 2014 at 8:50 am
Sheridan, running into God’s arms of grace is so much better than slipping into the shadows of self-pity, isolation, and despair.