Glimmer In The Midst Of Gloom!

Even when things are not going well, if we can at least see some light at the end of the tunnel or a glimmer of hope through the thick of the gloom, we can find encouragement to press on. God expects His Will to be taken seriously. To disregard His Will leads toward eternal condemnation. However, just like in our Lord’s parable of the lost son ( Luke 15) the Heavenly Father is eager to receive again, those who are willing to return home. ( Luke 15:20-24)

Jeremiah was a prophet of God during a time when the people were not very receptive to following the Will of God nor turning wholeheartedly back to Him. This prophet has been referred to as the “weeping prophet” and to read through the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations it is easy to see why. It may amaze us that as rebellious as God’s people became time and time again He continued to hold to His promises for the future and extend a gracious hope to those who would return to a right relationship with Him.

We also need to recognize that as bad as it may get in this world today or even as far off track as we might personally become, God continues to hold out the hope of FORGIVENESS to those who will turn back to Him. As long as there is life, there is hope! (note Ecclesiastes 9:4) While Jeremiah called for repentance and delivered God’s warnings of coming desolation and captivity, he also offered glimpses of hope with regard to the remnant God would preserve.

One of the glimmers of light in the midst of a message of doom for a rebellious people is a wonderful picture of the FORGIVENESS of God. Following Israel being referred to as a “hunted sheep driven away by lions” ( Jeremiah 50:17) -- this at the hand of Assyria and then Babylon who would also receive the punishment they were due -- God revealed through Jeremiah that a time of restoration was coming.

We read…
“In those days and in that time, declares the Lord, INIQUITY SHALL BE SOUGHT in Israel, and THERE SHALL BE NONE. And SIN in Judah, and NONE SHALL BE FOUND, for I WILL PARDON those whom I leave as a remnant.” ( Jeremiah 50:20 ESV)

What a wonderful picture of God’s FORGIVENESS; to be viewed as though the sin were not there. How refreshing! How uplifting! How gracious and merciful our God is! However, His willingness to FORGIVE should not be taken for granted. Rather, we ought to respond to such hope in true penitence with a sincere resolve to wholeheartedly draw near to God and walk daily in accordance with His Will.

In the New Testament, the Hebrew writer (quoting from Jeremiah 31:34) encouraged…
“(17) then he adds, ‘I will REMEMBER their sins and their lawless deeds NO MORE.’ (18) Where there IS FORGIVENESS of these there is NO LONGER ANY OFFERING FOR SIN.” ( Hebrews 10:17-18 ESV)

Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for our sins is adequate to take them away. ( Hebrews 10:12) May we continue to walk in Him in order to continue receiving the powerful benefit of His blood. ( 1 John 1:7) As long as there is life, there is hope! Let us remain turned toward God and accept the gracious gifts He offers.

Have a great day KNOWING THE POWER OF GOD’S PARDON!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Forgiveness