For His Mercy Endures Forever
Last night I wrote about II Chronicles 36:16 in which the Lord announced to the people of Judah that there was "no remedy" for their sin, so that He destroyed the Temple and Jerusalem. Tonight we fast forward to Ezra 3:11. This verse shows the people of Israel standing before the newly laid foundation for the rebuilding of the temple of God, singing to the Lord, "For He is good, for His mercy endures forever toward Israel." What a difference 70 years make. They went from being hopeless to being filled with hope and joy. How did that happen?
God always punishes His children in love. In fact, God is love, so He punishes everyone in love. Whenever there is no remedy He acts to bring a swift, appropriate punishment for the sin. However, because His mercy endures forever, He doesn't totally leave us without hope. If we will trust Him and follow His leading, even in our times of punishment, He can and will bring us back to a better place. He will allow us to rebuild our lives.
Therefore, don't think your life is over, and there is no hope, because of your sin. God is good. He will give you the opportunity to return to Him by confessing your sins, repenting of them, and trusting Christ as Lord of your life. Take that opportunity. Turn back to Him in faith. Then, the plans for your future can be bright, no matter how dark your past has been.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezra 4-7.
God always punishes His children in love. In fact, God is love, so He punishes everyone in love. Whenever there is no remedy He acts to bring a swift, appropriate punishment for the sin. However, because His mercy endures forever, He doesn't totally leave us without hope. If we will trust Him and follow His leading, even in our times of punishment, He can and will bring us back to a better place. He will allow us to rebuild our lives.
Therefore, don't think your life is over, and there is no hope, because of your sin. God is good. He will give you the opportunity to return to Him by confessing your sins, repenting of them, and trusting Christ as Lord of your life. Take that opportunity. Turn back to Him in faith. Then, the plans for your future can be bright, no matter how dark your past has been.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezra 4-7.