Devotion 

I Will Bring Them Back

Frances Taylor 

This tells of God's promise to bring back those who were exiled when they were overthrown by the Assyrians. The Northern Kingdom was no more. But God promises restoration. He will rebuild Israel and Judah. The exiles will return and the Lord promises to restore them with grain and oil, new wine and new flocks. God never abandons his people. The Israelites had abandoned God, they had not listened to the prophets, in this case Jeremiah and Isaiah, and so Israel had been defeated by the Assyrians and Judah by the Babylonians. The Assyrians drove the people out and they had to find new places to live, the Babylonians had sent them into exile in Babylon. Now God is promising to forgive them, bring them back and help them to thrive. We know, however, that it didn't take that long for them to ignore God, to return to their old ways and eventually, they are overcome again by the Greeks and the Romans. God brings us back from the disasters we create ...

Morning Prayer 

O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee. Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.

Inspiration 

Your sins have consequences. Even if you confess and are forgiven, you may still feel the shame of those sins. Ask the Lord to help with your shame. When we sin, we also hurt those around us. We need to be aware that sin often has a ripple effect – we may cause others disgrace. When Christians sin, nonbelievers question our faith. Do not let this happen to you. Walk in the light – we cannot hide our sin from the Lord.

Prayer 

Dear God, forgive me for my sins! I repent and ask that you help me handle the consequences of my sin with wisdom. Please do not allow my sins to cause others shame or lead people away from you, O Lord. I am sorry. I know you are merciful and will forgive me, so do not allow me to be controlled by feelings of guilt ...