Returning to the Lord can be one of the most difficult life experiences and the most beneficial. To return to the Lord, we must humble ourselves and ask the Lord to forgive us. Perhaps you have drifted away from the Lord, and He is calling you to return to Him today.
Scripture gives us insight into how the Lord reacts when we humble ourselves. James 4:10“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”[1] No matter what we have done, we can confess our sins and return to the Lord.
It is the enemy who continually tells us we have done too much wrong, and God will not forgive or take us back. When we humble ourselves and confess our sins the Lord will lift you up. Being lifted is important because it shows us what the Lord is doing.
It is Never too Late to Return to the Lord
Nehemiah received bad news that the returned Jewish exiles are living in a city without walls. Without a city wall and gates, ancient cities would be defenseless. Nehemiah knows that the walls and gates are in this condition as the result of the people’s sins against the Lord. He also knows the power of crying out to the Lord in prayer.
Nehemiah 1:5“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6 listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! 7 We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses.
8 “Please remember what you told your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations. 9 But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’ 10 “The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants. 11 O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. [2]
Returning to the Lord Brings Restoration
As difficult as humbling ourselves and returning to the Lord is, it brings restoration that transforms our life. We are never too broken for the Lord to repair. When God restores us, He mends our cracks and tears with His love and compassion. A forgiven person is a testament of the power of the cross. When Jesus died of our sins, He made it possible for any person to be forgiven and restored. Don’t hesitate to humble yourself before the Lord. You will never regret it.
To hear more about returning to the Lord, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/rebuilding-unfinished-hope-call-sending
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.