The Doorway of Repentance

Scripture: Jeremiah 3:19 “I thought to myself: “ I would love to treat you as my own children! I wanted nothing more than to give you this beautiful land – the finest possession in the world. I looked forward to your calling me ‘Father’ and I wanted you never to turn from me”

Observation: The cry of the Father’s heart is so strong in this verse! - the deep desire for a loving relationship of father to child – but it’s a two-way street, and Israel & Judah have both turned away from the Lord in rebellion & adultery. Both have turned to other gods. There will be consequences – dire consequences – but here is a Father whose heart desires only that His children turn back to Him. True repentance is the only way. But that door is always open, no matter how dark the circumstances or the sin may be.

Application: How my Heavenly Father loves me!! How He grieves over me when I choose to go my own way and reject all the wonderful blessings He longs to give me! How He rejoices when I turn my heart back to Him in repentance and how ready He is to restore me! But this scripture is in the Old Testament! How much more does the fact that the Father proved His love even more by sending His Son melt my heart towards Him! And how much more does that motivate me, as His child, to share that love with those who haven’t yet turned their hearts towards Him in repentance?

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thankyou for loving me so much that You sent Your Son for me. Thankyou that You always have a door open which leads back to You when I have turned away – and that door is called Repentance. May I never take it lightly or for granted. Help me, Lord, to express Your incredible love to those with whom I interact who haven’t yet walked through that door. You grieve over them. May I be one who brings joy to your heart as I sow seeds to bring them back to You.

In Jesus’ name

Amen

Sue Otto