6 Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security.

7 I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and rebuild them as they were at first.

8 And I will cleanse them from all the iniquity they have committed against Me, and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against Me.

— Jeremiah 33:6-8

7 “For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will bring you back.

8 In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer.

— Isaiah 54:7-8

14 I will restore My people Israel from captivity; they will rebuild and inhabit the ruined cities. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit.

15 I will firmly plant them in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land that I have given them,” says the LORD your God.

— Amos 9:14-15

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

When we read the Old Testament, Israel’s story reveals much about God, who kept His word to discipline and restore His rebellious children. God’s faithfulness continues even when humans prove themselves unfaithful. He sent the Israelites into exile and intervened to restore them in their land and bring blessings beyond their suffering. Though Israel did not experience the full extent of God’s promised reclamation of their hearts and land, He continued to offer the people hope and call them back to Himself.

The ploys and plots of mere humans cannot thwart God’s work on earth. The rise and fall of kings and kingdoms, mandates of ungodly kings, unexpected provisions, triumph amid overwhelming obstacles, and victory over evil enemies reveal God’s overcoming power that no one can stop. God sovereignly controls history to accomplish His eternal plans. Such a faithful God who turned wayward Israelites to Him is also steadfastly operating and sanctifying us the New Testament believers for His glory.