My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place. All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the Lord, the habitation of justice, even the Lord, the hope of their fathers. Jeremiah 50:6-7
The children of Israel had not heeded the warnings sent by God. He had pleaded with them to repent of their sins, to cease their idolatry and to seek Him in true worship. Yet, they had continued on in their sinful, self-indulgent disregard for God. God allowed Babylon to take them captive and for 70 years they were held. Their temple destroyed and their land laid to waste. They like blind sheep had listened to false prophets and evil Kings until they had forgotten their true place of rest could only be found in God. He was the only one worthy of worship. He was the great shepherd who would protect them, guide them, and lead them to peaceful prosperity. Even after all that, God’s great mercy looked down upon a remnant of His people. Then, when the time was right; God, as He had promised, restored them to their land.
For Israel hath not been forsaken, nor Judah of his God, of the Lord of hosts; though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel….The Lord hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God. Jeremiah 51:5,10
Then God Spoke Concerning the Babylonians holding His people Captive
The Lord of hosts has sworn [an oath] by Himself, saying,
“Surely I will fill you with men, as with [a swarm of] locusts [who strip the land clean], And they will lift up a song and shout of victory over you.”
He made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom
And stretched out the heavens by His understanding. When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, And He causes the clouds to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings for the rain
And brings out the wind from His storehouses. Jeremiah 51:14-16 (AMP)
What does that mean for you and me?
God is calling us to seek Him. He establishes leaders and He can bring their power to an end. When we choose to follow sin as a nation; He steps back and allows the corruption and evil to penetrate our land. We, the Christians of this great nation had allowed ourselves to be lulled into wandering along the hillsides and the mountains where we could easily be devoured. We must continue forward with the revival that has begun to grow in the hearts of the Christians. We must reach forth our hands with love to every bleeding, hurting forsaken man, woman and child in total humility of heart. We must give grace in the same manner as we have received grace.
The election is over and we have a President elect. Half of the nation are happy and half are crying; now it is time that we reach across that great precipice with a hand of love to those on the over side of that chasm.
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land Isaiah 1:17-19
[bctt tweet=”Note that? If you be willing!! So, my question is: Are you willing to follow God’s commands?” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”It begins with acknowledging your own sins, and like David ask God to reach forth His Grace” username=”effiedarlene”].
Let my soul live, and it shall praise You;
And let Your judgments help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
Seek Your servant,
For I do not forget Your commandments. Psalm 119:175-176
David prayed, Lord I am lost. I have gone astray. Seek me, lest I forget Your commandments.
Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you Deuteronomy 4:23
[bctt tweet=”Redeemed, forgiven and restored; then, reach out your hand to rescue another who is lost” username=”effiedarlene”]
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6
Photo used courtesy of : https://unsplash.com/@evanbatky
Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.