Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says:

Return to Me, declares the LORD Almighty,

And I will return to you, says the LORD Almighty.

Zechariah 1:3, NIV 

 

If you have read this far through the books of the prophets of God, well done! Now you know that the prophets had a three-fold mission: First and foremost, it was to foretell the coming of the Messiah. Second, it was to call the people to repentance so that they might enjoy the blessings of God. And third, it was to reveal the punishment that would come if they did not repent of their wickedness.

 

One of the things that I love most about God is that He always is willing to forgive His children. Still, this forgiveness is available only under certain conditions: We must cease from our sins, we must begin to do right, and we must come back to Him. You see, that's what repentance is. It is not only a ceasing of sin, but it is a complete turning away from that sin and a complete turning toward God. It is a 180 degree turn! And if we will make that turn, He will welcome us back, forgive our sins, and shower our lives with blessings.

 

However, there is one caveat: We can only come back to God while we are in this physical body! Once we taste death, it is too late!

 

So, how about you? Have you left God? Is there anything in your life that might be separating you from His grace and the saving blood of Jesus, His Son? Do you think that it's too late for you to ever come back? Perhaps you think that you are the worst of sinners and that God would not even allow you to come back to Him if you wanted to. If that's the case, then you need this good news: God will still take you back, if you will come back on His terms!

 

This is why Christ came into the world in the first place! The apostle Paul put it this way:

 

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst!

I Timothy 1:15, NIV

 

Today is the 29th day of the 30 day challenge to read through the books of the prophets of God, with the book of Zechariah being the reading for today. May God richly bless you as you commit yourself to His precious Word!