Restoration is always on God's Mind

Scripture:

Jeremiah 27:22 "They shall be carried to Babylon, and there, they shall be until the day that I visit them, says the Lord. Then I will bring them up and restore them to this place".

Observation:

Jeremiah has been speaking powerful words to Judah and all the surrounding nations because they had forsaken Him. He speaks of a deportation of God's people to Babylon for 70 years. Verse 21 talks about the vessels in the house of God. God says that they will be taken to Babylon and will stay there until He restores them to their proper place. Even in judgment, God is thinking about the restoration that will come later. He is making provision for their restoration!

Application:

God is awesome! Even when He is punishing His people in Jeremiah, He is thinking about their return. Even when He is about to let enemy armies carry away His people into a foreign country, He is thinking about their return and making provision for their worship. God loves it when His people return to Him! He is always waiting with blessing for those who are away from Him to return. He prepares ahead of time for their return. Like the story of the prodigal son, the father said "kill the fatted calf". Basically it was the one that he had been preparing for His son's return.

Prayer:

Lord, You are faithful when we are not. Even in judgment, You remember Your people and make provision for their return to You. Teach me to love like that! Teach me to be more like You. Let Your face shine on my life and let me reflect Your glory to the world. help me to witness to someone today.

Your Son,
Jeff