Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Word for the Day 
April - 8 - 2014
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Restoration for Israel and Judah
Jeremiah 30:1-10

Then fear not, O Jacob my servant declares the Lord nor be dismayed, O Israel…..(v.10)

Jeremiah’s message of impending judgment for idolatry and other sins was preached over a period of 40 years. Some Scholars contend that Jeremiah was a prophet of doom and gloom. In this book Jeremiah recounts more of his own life than any other prophet, telling of his ministry, the reaction of his audiences, testings and his personal feelings. Jeremiah’s prophesy took place during the reigns of Judah’s final five kings, Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah.  The spiritual condition of Judah was one of flagrant idol worship, Religious insincerity, dishonesty, adultery, injustice, tyranny against the helpless, and slander prevailed as a norm. It is in this context that we look at chapter 30, verses 1-10, where the prophesy is Restoration from captivity for Israel and Judah. In verse 8 and 9 we read, “ On that day "- this is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts -“I will break his yoke fem your neck and snap your fetters so strangers will never again enslave him. They will serve the Lord their God and I will raise up David their King for them”
Jeremiah speaks of judgement and hope for the long term. The lesson for all of us through Jeremiah is about the hope of restoration even when our wrong actions lead to destruction.

How beautiful it is for us to know that our God will restore to us all that we have lost when we turn to him. When fear and terror grips us during times of trial, we can look to our Lord and savior for full restoration. Our Lord’s Grace is sufficient for us, verse 10…..this is the LORD’s declaration, and do not be dismayed, Israel for I will without fail save you from far away, your descendants from the land of their captivity……….”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for being faithful to us even at times of our unfaithfulness to you. Thank you for your power of restoration to your children. Amen

Thought for the day: It is not the storm clouds or the rain, but the ability to know that our Lord is present with us always.


Joseph Abraham Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, Virginia

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