As I look at my own life, friends I have made along the way, and even those in my own family, I am always amazed how easy it is to lose our way.  Sometimes it can be just one small decision in the wrong direction that snowballs and escalates into an enormous mistake – leaving us reeling and wondering if there is any way out of our situation and dilemma.  Admitting that we have done wrong, have made bad choices, or have come to the realization that we have hurt others, is the most excruciating pain of the given situation.  Many people cannot suffer the guilt and often commit suicide, while others suffer from extreme depression.  Often in these given situations, we feel like there is no way out and the consequences of our actions can be brutal.

 In Jeremiah 3:12-18, the people have made bad choices and have gotten themselves in a dilemma that has taken them far from God.  They have lost their way and they don’t know what to do or even realize their mistakes of worshipping idols.  But, Jeremiah goes to them and tells them that there is a way out of their guilt – Return to the Lord, says Jeremiah!  God says, “I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful” (Jeremiah 3:12).  And, that while the people have been faithless, God is faithful.  “Come back to me,” says God and I will give you knowledge and understanding and bring you to Zion – and to the land I gave your ancestors for a heritage (vv. 14-15; 18).

Return to the Lord!  God is merciful and faithful.  In other words, God sent Jesus Christ so that our sins can be forgiven.  Through Christ, there is always a way out of our bad decisions and choices that we make.  That doesn’t mean there will not be consequences for our actions; however, God takes our guilt and shame and wraps it in His grace and mercy, giving us a new life and an opportunity for our eternal life – a land that has been promised to us through God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

“Only acknowledge your guilt, that you have rebelled against the Lord your God”, says the Lord (v. 13), and I will bring you to Zion.  Whatever is weighing you down with guilt, return to the Lord and ask God to forgive you.  I promise you will receive a peace that passes all of your understanding.  God will lead you out of that situation, giving you knowledge and understanding.

Let us pray…Gracious God, help us to return to You for your mercy and grace.  Lead us out of our temptation, bad decisions and choices that we have made and bring us to the Land you have promised us.  Give us the knowledge and understanding to lead us back to you for our opportunity of eternal life. Amen.