Sun.’s Devo - A Call to Repentance -

Read: Jeremiah 2:31-4:18; Colossians 1:1-20; Psalm 76:1-12; Proverbs 24:21-22

Israel had out-sinned even the nations around them, teaching them their wicked ways. They oppressed the poor and innocent claiming not to sin. They went after gods of other nations and brought their vile practices back to Israel. 

Judah saw how idolatrous Israel had become and did the same thing in secret, while they claimed to follow the Lord. This was even more evil in God’s eyes. Isaiah calls them both to return to the Lord and admit their guilt and their sin and repent. 

If they did repent, God would give them shepherds like him who would give them knowledge and understanding. They would multiply and be fruitful in the land. He saw forward to a day when Israel and Judah became one nation and worked together. God said when he gave them the land of Israel, he thought they would call him their father and follow him and his ways but they left him for other lovers.

God wanted to bless them and give them his glory, but they must return to him first. He tells them to blow the trumpet and call a day to return to him or he would bring destruction from the north on them. Judgement was coming to wash their hearts clean. They will blame the Lord, but it will be their own doing that brought this disaster. 

In Paul’s letter to the church in Colossi he declares who Christ is. He is the image of God. Jesus is the firstborn of all creation and in him all things were created in heaven and on the earth. All powers and dominions, rulers and kings were created through and for him. He was before all things and holds everything together. He is the beginning of everything and the most important. God is in him and it pleased Jesus to come and live among us that through his death, he could reconcile us to God. Through his death he delivered us from the kingdom of darkness to his kingdom of light. Now we are redeemed and forgiven of all our sins.

Lord, may we be filled with the knowledge of your will with wisdom and understanding. May we be strengthened with your power to endure with patience and joy. Thank you that you have shared your inheritance with us. Thank you that you have reconciled us to you and made peace with us and heaven.