February 18, 2020 CAC Living Water Devotional :-  HOPE FOR THE BACKSLIDER

By | February 18, 2020

February 18, 2020 CAC Living Water Devotional :-  HOPE FOR THE BACKSLIDER

Read previous CAC Living Water Devotionals here

CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH

THE LIVING WATER {Jan ~ June, 2020}

DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

TOPIC: HOPE FOR THE BACKSLIDER

Read Jeremiah 3:12-14

[12]Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.[13]Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.[14]Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

MEMORISE: Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings (Jeremiah 3:22b)

EXPOSITION

The compassionate attitude of God towards His children who have gone astray is clearly revealed in Jeremiah 3:14 : ‘Return home, you wayward children, “says the Lord, “for I am your master. I will bring you back to the land of Israel – one from this town and two from that family – from wherever you are scattered’.

Sin breaches our relationship with God, but God will graciously receive those who return to Him with all humility and true contrition. He longs to take us back, and His willingness to forgive His children is infinite. No matter where we are, or what we have done, we can be confident that God will pardon us, if we forsake our sin and turn to Christ alone, for our pardon. That is the magnitude of His grace. This is the good news for the backslider!

God’s loving concern for the backslider is steadfast and sure. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you (Jas. 4:8). Remember the proverbial prodigal son, how his father reabsorbed him totally, when he realised his foolishness and decided to return home to his father, notwithstanding what he would have to experience in the hands of the father, as punishment for his foolishness (Luke 15:11ff).

Do not let anything hold you back from God and His forgiveness and grace. Don’t let the pleasures of sin deceive you. Also, do not let doubt or guilt hold you back, for He promises, ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn. 1:9). God remains merciful, and does not want to punish forever.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Thank God for His loving concern for the backslider, and for His forgiveness and grace.

2. O God, please create in me a clean heart, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

3. Pray for all backsliders in Christendom, that God will grant them the grace to return to Him with true contrition.

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Leviticus 13 & Luke 6

Author: C.A.C WORLDWIDE

Remain blessed!

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