Grace in the Wilderness

Jer 31:1  At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. 2  Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest. 3  The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. 4  Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.

Grace: God's unmerited favor. Israel's backsliding brought the frown of God and miserable punishment. Yet, He did not cast His people off, He just sent them to a place where they would see the error of their ways, repent, turn to Him and prosper once again.

Look at the heart of God as He desires for them:

1. Relationship (1)

2. Rest (2)

3. Restraint (3)

4. Rebuilding (4)

5. Rejoicing (4)

Child of God, you are His and though your relationship may be strained because of your prodigal heart, it is never severed. His love will not let you fall from grace, even in the wilderness of your wandering.

He desires that you find in Him a vital relationship, rest for your weary soul, loving restraint, a rebuilt life and happy rejoicing.

Simply repent of your sin and turn back to Him with your whole heart. He is waiting for you even now. Do we deserve such grace? Of course not, that’s why it is called grace.