“Return To The Lord And He Will Return To You!”

“Return To The Lord And He Will Return To You!”
In a class discussion I asked my teacher, Rev. Dr. Elangwe I. S why God decided to favour Israel over other nations? His answer has remained with me for well over thirty years. He said in his understanding, all the nations of the world are like a basket with a handle. To lift up the basket you hold it by its handle. Israel is like the handle of the basket by which God lifts up in carrying the whole world.
This is exactly the way God deals with all of humanity. He uses a few as contact points to reach the many. Unfortunately the few do not always see themselves as tools in God’s hands which he uses to achieve his purposes here on earth. They rather see themselves as the favoured, and this makes them haughty.
Israel was such an overspoilt child who thinks that there is nothing wrong with whatever he does or does not do
When Paul and Barnabas first preached the gospel to the Antiochans, the Jews, out of arrogance ignored the gospel. Meanwhile God had told them, “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth” The apostles told them, “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.” The Gentiles heard this and were glad and honoured the word of the Lord (Acts 13:42-52).
My friend, there is always somebody around admiring what you despise; ready to happily embrace what you are undermining. Let us not persecute those who are sent to take us out of the darkness of sin into God’s marvellous light.
The opportunity we have today of knowing Christ and abiding fully in him may not come again. Jesus Christ longs to gather us together “as a hen gatthers her chicks under her wings…” Let us not be unwilling (Mt.23:34-39).
The Lord may have been angry with us, but he is beckoning, “Return to me and I will return to you…”(Zec.1:1-6). Let us be steadfast in the Lord and enjoy his blessings in this life and the life hereafter! The Lord wants to gather us together because “unity is strength!”
Sunday prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, we are willing, gather us together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!
Babila Fochang.