Return to God
Not only return, but to keep your vow to be faithful to Him.
Some who need to return, have never left.
Let us explain!

2 Chronicles 30:9
"For if you return to the LORD, your brethren and your children will be treated with compassion by those who lead them captive, so that they may come back to this land; for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn His face from you if you return to Him."

Introduction
Sometimes we are overwhelmed when we consider just how small we are and just how little an impact our lives make in the overall scheme of things going on in life.
There are everyday occurrences and rare tragedies that stress us and bring us to humility.
Usually for the most part, we find that we are not in control over much of what this life offers.
Honestly, we have very little control over our life and our situation.
We may complain, but all our complaints do not change a thing.
And we have a command not to complain (Philippians 2:14) .

We begin to doubt ourselves, and that usually leads us into depression.
Sadly, when things go well, we tend to become arrogant and feel a sense of self-worth, and we try not to allow anyone to remove that from us.
But we find that is just a fleeting thought that goes around us and does not stay with us.
So what do we do?
Many just give up.

We fall into the “Woe Is Me” syndrome.
You did not realize that was a thing, did you?
On the other hand, you may not realize it, but you do make an impact in the lives of those whom you interact.
How you behave brings happiness and joy into the hearts of loved ones, or it can produce sorrow.
Who you befriend makes a difference in those lives, and those you help feel a sense of blessing has surrounded them.
So don’t ever think that you do not matter in life, because your life does matter.
It matters to those you meet and it matters to God.

God is concerned for you, and you need to learn that.
1 Peter 5:7 “casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you”.
Joel 2:13 “So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm”.
If we are truly penitent, and ask for forgiveness we know that God is faithful to forgive our sins (1 John 1:9).

1 Chronicles 16:8 “Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!”
1 Chronicles 16:34 “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever”.
1 Chronicles 16:35 “And say, "Save us, O God of our salvation; Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles, To give thanks to Your holy name, To triumph in Your praise”.
This is repeated in Psalm 105.

Isaiah 55:7 “Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon”.
Putting on a front does not work when it comes to serving God.
God is not mocked (Galatians 6:7).
God knows and reads the hearts of men (Jeremiah 17:10).
That is why we need to return to the Lord with our whole heart.

Jeremiah 24:7 'Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart”.
When we become so overwhelmed by the things in life, we begin to despair and where we seek our help speaks volumes.
Do we seek help from humans or from God?
There are times that require prayer and those times come every day.
How often in your prayers do you call upon the Heavenly Father's forgiveness and protection for our nation?
Not often enough, I suppose.
Yes, we need to confess our sins.
And yes, we know that most people need to recognize their sins.

Some people have departed from their first love.
They may have started out with great zeal in their service to God, but somehow got sidetracked.
Some have even departed the Lord, even while making sure they attend services and go through the motions of worship.
We may be describing someone in this room.
Something is blocking our connection with God, and we need to return to His ways; follow His commandments; and follow the example of Jesus.

Hosea 14:1 tells us the reason we need to return to the Lord your God; “because you have stumbled in your iniquities”.
Iniquities is just another word for sin, error, bad judgment, or just plain ole selfishness.
Isaiah 59:2 tells us that our sins separate us from God, so for us to return to God there must be a reconciliation, and that we cannot do by our own works.
Jesus provides such for us, and it is through Jesus that we can be saved.
How?

Conclusion
We are commanded to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and died on the cross for our sins. (Acts 8:37).
We must repent of our sins (Luke 13:3);
We must confess Jesus as Lord (Matthew 10:32);
We must be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).
Then we must remain faithful and continue learning (Revelation 2:10; 2 Peter 3:18).
Let us help you on your spiritual journey.

By Carey Scott

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