A Lifetime of Pursuing (Part 4 of 4)- I Will Heal

Jeremiah 3:22 NKJV

22 “Return, you backsliding children,

And I will heal your backslidings.”

Perhaps you're struggling today.  Maybe you feel overwhelmed with the guilt and shame of sin or feel like you're beyond help.  There is no sin greater than the power of God, no situation He cannot handle, no person beyond His reach.  God has the power to drive sin that keeps us in bondage out, the power to help us overcome. Sin is a disease which requires Jesus our Great Physician.  It’s not in the strength of man that we overcome but, it is the Lord who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.)  so whether you're sick with sin or sick of sin cry out to the Lord.  Draw near to Him today. 

Resuscitation

Ezekiel 37:7-10 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.  9 Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ” 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.

If you have strayed away know that God wants to restore you back to Himself.  Even if your life, attitude, thoughts, words and/or ways have become like the valley of dry bones you are not beyond help.  We are not without help.  As a believer, we have the Helper living on the inside of us.  The Holy Spirit can resuscitate any and every area of your life.  If you have become spiritually dry, cold, indifferent or even lukewarm, allow the Holy Spirit to breathe life back into you today.

Perhaps you've returned back to God but, nothing seems to be happening or maybe the pace is a bit slower than you thought it would be.  Consider again Ezekiel and the valley of dry bones and the process:

• initial noise
• rattling
• bones coming together
• sinews and flesh
• skin to cover bones

If you're feeling discouraged about the timing of restoration know that sometimes restoration is a gradual process as circumstances we may find ourselves in are not always a quick fix though it is not impossible for God to accomplish.  We have to be obedient and cooperate with the Holy Spirit understanding it is God's timing and His ways not ours.

 

Sin is a great deception and people are often overwhelmed by it before they realize how great of a deception it really is.  One may think they can regulate sin but, the slope is slippery and Satan is the Father of lies. We cannot regulate sin and the flesh will never be satisfied. 

Though one may have a level of enjoyment in life there will be no complete fulfillment of it in people or things as both are temporary.  Apart from God, we will always chase after the next new thing searching for that which was never designed to fulfill us.  

We spend our lifetime in pursuit, yet what and who we pursue makes all the difference.  

There is never a time in the life of a believer where it is okay to set God aside to pursue anything or anyone.  Turning away from God will always leave us disappointed and as the body of Christ we are commanded to steer clear of idolatry.  We must examine our hearts and see if we have allowed anyone or anything, even if it is ourselves to replace God in our lives.  We should turn away from striving to be like the world, and not love the world and it's ways rather than God.  Exceedingly great things are found in Christ not outside of Him.  Only in Christ is there and will there ever be true satisfaction.  

1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

 ***all scripture references used are NKJV unless noted otherwise.