Return Your Heart To God!

22 “My wayward children,” says the Lord, “come back to Me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.” Jeremiah 3:22 (NLT).

 

1 “O Israel,” says the Lord, “if you wanted to return to Me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more. 2 Then when you swear by My Name, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives,’ you could do so with truth, justice, and righteousness. Then you would be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all people would come and praise My Name.” 3 This is what the Lord says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns. 4 O people of Judah and Jerusalem, surrender your pride and power. Change your hearts before the Lord, or My anger will burn like an unquenchable fire because of all your sins. … 14 O Jerusalem, cleanse your heart that you may be saved. How long will you harbor your evil thoughts? Jeremiah 4:1-4, 14 (NLT).

 

God sent the Prophet Jeremiah to tell the people to turn their hearts back to God and stop seeking evil. Their hearts had become hardened and cynical to God's will. The Prophet Jeremiah instructed the people to turn from sin so the good seeds of God's Holy Word could take root and grow in their lives. However, the people continued to worship their idols (e.g., wealth, competition, position, sexual pleasure, and possessions) in secret. So, God announced through the Prophet Jeremiah that if the people continued in sin, He would bring disaster on their land (see 2 Chronicles 36). This punishment would continue until the people turn from their sin and turn their whole hearts to God.

God is true and faithful, and He wants His people to be true and faithful to Him. Even more, God is kind, merciful, and true. In His mercy, God is always willing to welcome you back with open arms (Luke 15). However, God wants you to confess and turn away from every sin and turn your whole heart to Him. So, do not let sin enter your hearts. Instead, find the lasting joy, peace, and love found in God!