Restoration in Spite of

Jeremiah 30: ¹⁸ “This is what the Lord says:

“‘I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents
    and have compassion on his dwellings;
the city will be rebuilt on her ruins,
    and the palace will stand in its proper place.
¹⁹ From them will come songs of thanksgiving
    and the sound of rejoicing.
I will add to their numbers,
    and they will not be decreased;
I will bring them honor,
    and they will not be disdained.
²⁰ Their children will be as in days of old,
    and their community will be established before me;
    I will punish all who oppress them.
²¹ Their leader will be one of their own;
    their ruler will arise from among them.
I will bring him near and he will come close to me—
    for who is he who will devote himself
    to be close to me?’
declares the Lord.
²² “‘So you will be my people,
    and I will be your God.’”

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Looking back I remember many times wanting to “fit in” to a crowd that wasn’t doing some of the best things. I mean they seemed to be rich and powerful, but greedy and lust filled. As I looked with adoration, I tried to justify my sinful actions as temporary. I mean “I” am not like those people. I’m just doing this sin temporarily until I “get ahead.”

• Sin is sin.
• Sin is what GOD has against me.
• Sin is a burden that destroys my relationship with GOD.

There is no such thing as a balancing scale, nor are there “big” or “little” sins. It is plain and simply sin and GOD hates it even more when I categorize my sin as if to justify to HIM that I am “mostly” good. GOD declared me as thoroughly sinful and deserving of Hell. BUT HE had compassion.

• GOD took it upon HIMSELF to do what I could not do.
• GOD decided to take the punishment for my sin, so instead of categorizing them small or large I need to simply ask HIM for forgiveness.
• GOD said “I will restore, I will add, I will honor” even though I do not deserve any of it.

In spite of my sins, GOD restores me. HE does not let any of my sins go unpunished, however HE applies grace or I would be destroyed. Large or small, great or few, sin is still sin in GOD’s eyes. HE wants me to see I need a savior not a lawyer. It is only when I recognize the need that I can ask.

• Do you need restoration?
• Are you feeling lost?
• Will you confess your sins to GOD so HE will show HIS faithfulness and cleanse you of all unrighteousness?