RETURN AND BE RESTOREDSpeaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: The Lord says, "My dear children come unto Me. I will heal your wounds. You need not suffer anymore". Let us turn and heed His words. Surely the Lord will heal us of our backslidings and bless us abundantly. " 'Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.' 'Indeed we do come to You, for You are the Lord our God.' " (Jeremiah 3:22). The Lord will heal your tousled backslidings.
The Bible says, "Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." (Hebrews 10:38) "Even then, come unto Me because I alone can bandage your wounds and heal you. By no means I will cast you away, nor will I chasten you but surely I will heal you and make you live" says the Lord. The Lord questions thus: "Who is your portion in this world? Besides Me, who will help you and make you live?" The Lord says, "Even if you have backslidden, My dear daughter\son come back to Me." By these words we have hope today.
Let us analyze and see in what ways we have backslidden.
The Bible says that having received the statutes and commandments of God we have been negligent in following and have backslidden from the ways of the Lord. The Scripture says that when our Lord Jesus Christ lived on this earth, '.....He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things." (Mark 6:34). He had compassion on the people who were gathered there and He patiently listened to their problems and gave them words of life and hope. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. The Lord satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. The word of our loving Lord Jesus Christ is like a cool drink to a thirsty soul. Therefore, people assembled in large number to hear his wonderful and life giving words.
Simon Peter, a disciple of Jesus Christ answered, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." While on the other hand, many of His disciples wondered, "How can we partake of the body of Jesus Christ?" Many questioned Jesus Christ saying, " Have we to eat Your flesh and how is that possible?" When the disciples heard about the explanation given by Jesus Christ they felt it to be a very difficult doctrine for practical purpose saying, "This is a hard saying; who can understand it?" and many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more in other words they backslid from following Him (John 6:60, 66).
Just imagine how the heart of Jesus Christ would have been shattered at the thought of His disciples retreating from Him by rejecting His compassionate sayings that were meant to bring them blessings. Great would have been the agony of His heart. The Bible says, "The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from above." (Proverbs 14:14). If we do not focus our mind on the commands and statutes of our Lord Jesus Christ and give room for the worldly ways then even without our volition we entreat to be swayed by the ruler of this world and backslide from the ways of the Lord. In the process, we reject the teachings of our loving Lord Jesus Christ.
Once a woman suffered severely owing to some illness. A Pastor requested my father (Bro. D.G.S. Dhinakaran) to offer personal prayers for her. My father visited this woman's house and prayed fervently for her. The Lord revealed the reason for her illness. At once my father looked at the woman and said, "Sister, you don't have to suffer like this anymore. The Bible says in Matthew 6:14, 'For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.' Do you have any brothers?" That woman responded saying, "Yes I do have brothers." Then my father continued saying, "Dear sister! You have not followed the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. You have been unfairly hoarding the possessions and land documents of your dear brothers. They are suffering greatly and are terribly in want of money. Please handover all their documents and make them happy. Surely God will heal you and make you happy too." That woman resented this statement because she did not want to give up the possessions of her brothers that were under her control because she craved for worldly honour, respect and power. Therefore, suffering with that illness she passed away.
Many a times, being lured by the wicked ways of the world like the lust of the flesh, pride of life, lust of the eyes, forgetting to follow the loving path of our Lord Jesus Christ we do greatly suffer. Having lost the precious presence of God backsliders become greatly depressed. The Lord says, "My dear children come unto Me. I will change all your messy life and heal all your wounds. You need not suffer anymore." Let us turn to the Lord today and heed His words. Surely the Lord will heal us of our backslidings and bless us abundantly.
Prayer
Almighty God,
You alone are the source of eternal life and You are my portion in this earth. I praise and thank You for Your loving kindness. Please forgive me if I have backslidden and looked at the wicked worldly ways for evil pleasures. Heal me of my wounds and restore Your joy and peace in my heart. Please change my messy life and bandage my wounds. Guide and guard me throughout this day.
In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen |