ESOCS Devotional 2 January 2023
TEXT: ISAIAH 62:1-5
MEMORY VERSE: “Never again will you be called “The Forsaken City” or “The Desolate Land” Your new name will be “The City of God’s Delight and The Bride of God,” for the Lord delights in you and will claim you as His Bride” Isaiah 62:4 NLT
This message of consolation and relief for the oppressed people of Judah came at a time when all hope was already lost by the people. At this time, the cities of Judah and Israel were in total ruins because of the attacks from Assyria. But Isaiah’s prophecy was that the cities would be rebuilt, and normal life returned to the children of God.
Despite the stubbornness and disobedience of Israel, God’s love was ever present. The case of Isaiah 49:15 calls to mind here, thus: “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?……., yet will I not forget thee.” This is an indication that God’s mercy and care over His children are ever faithful, ever sure.
No matter how intolerable and unpardonable our sins, God would always look at humanity with eyes of pity. In John 3:16, God’s love for mankind moved Him to offer up His Only Begotten Son for our redemption. During His earthly ministry for the salvation of fallen man, Jesus was always moved with compassion, as a mark of His redemptive outlook (Matthew 9:36, 14:14; 15:32, 20:34).
The story of the prodigal son of Saint Luke Gospel, Chapter fifteen, is a clear pointer to the fact that God is ever ready to forgive and restore us, no matter how unbearable our actions. Child of God, be rest assured that there is still hope, no matter what the situation appears to be. But, let’s take heed to ourselves, and pick ourselves from where we have fallen. And like the prodigal son, take a decision to come back to the Father. He is ever ready to pardon and restore.
The Lord constantly calls us to come, and reason with Him, so that our sins may be forgiven. It does not matter, whether they have become crimson or scarlet. The Father is ever ready to make them as white as snow through the redeeming blood of the Lamb of God, (Isaiah 1:18).
- How do you feel each time you remember that God is ever there to restore you from your
fallen state?
- Lord, thank you for your grace, even as you continue to work towards my complete
restoration.
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 43: 2-28; Luke 9: 31-40; 1 Corinthians 3: 1-9.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 2 January 2023
