Backsliders Restored

Micah 7:18-19 (KJV) tells us, “Who is a God like unto You, that pardons iniquity, and passes by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retains not His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will turn again; He will have compassion upon us; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”

This profound scripture paints a picture of a God who, instead of holding grudges, extends mercy, and continually welcomes His people back to Him. The Hebrew Tanakh offers a similar sentiment, calling us to marvel at a God who loves graciousness, takes us back in love, and casts our sins into the depths of the sea. Isn’t that the most beautiful picture of forgiveness? A God who actively chooses to forget our sins—not because He has a poor memory, but because He chooses love over wrath. He says to us, “I will take you back in love,” and then He goes even further by casting all our sins into the deepest waters, never to be brought up again. It's not just a clean slate—it's the ultimate act of compassion and grace.

I can’t help but think: “Well, I really messed up, didn’t I, Lord? Please forgive me... AGAIN!” Because, honestly, I might as well have a PhD in missteps! Can you relate? Romans 3:23 reminds us, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." This is a universal truth—we all fall short. We all make mistakes. But here's the beautiful thing: God's mercy is renewed every single day.

God's faithfulness is like an unbreakable cycle of grace. Throughout the Old Testament, we see God’s unwavering call to His people to return to Him. He’s the loving parent calling out to the wayward child, not to scold, but to bless. He longs for reconciliation and never grows tired of offering forgiveness. His mercy is unending. No matter how often we stumble, He is always ready to forgive and embrace us. Isn't that incredible?

Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us of God’s constant faithfulness: "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness." That’s better than your morning cup of coffee, isn’t it? If God’s mercy were a drink, it would be that warm, soothing, and energizing cup of coffee you forgot to drink. It’s fresh every morning, always there to start our day right.

If you ever feel like you've strayed too far from God, don't run away from Him. That’s the temptation, right? When we mess up, our first instinct is often to hide, to run, and to avoid confronting our mistakes. It's like trying to flee from a field of matches into a blazing fire. When you do this, you’re not running from the problem; you’re running straight into a worse one. But here’s the twist: when you run to God, He’s already waiting there with open arms, ready to forgive you, restore you, and wrap you in His love.

Hebrews 12:1-2 advises us to lay aside every weight, including the burden of regret and guilt, and to run the race before us with perseverance, keeping our eyes on Jesus. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. He is the one who carries us when we can’t carry ourselves. And when we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). It’s like God gently wiping away a smudge from a favorite shirt—clean, pure, renewed.

And you know what? If you’ve hurt someone, don’t sit idly by and let guilt paralyze you. Be bold—apologize! We all mess up, but God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). The power to face the uncomfortable moments with courage and strength comes from God. It’s like facing an awkward situation with the mindset: “I can handle this,” instead of “Why is my life becoming a soap opera?”

One thing’s for sure: we can't hide our sins from God. Like trying to keep vegetables away from a parent who’s determined to make you eat your greens, it’s impossible to keep anything from God. Mark 4:22 and Deuteronomy 29:29 remind us that there’s nothing hidden from God—He sees it all.

But here’s the beauty of walking with God: you’re His. He will never let you go. When you accepted Christ, you became part of His forever family, and He promises no one can pluck you out of His hand (John 10:27-29). You are safe with Him, even when life tries to pull you in a thousand different directions. It’s like trying to steal a cookie from a padlocked jar—good luck with that!

Even when we stray or feel like we’re too far gone, God never stops loving us. His discipline, like that of a good parent, is an act of love. Deuteronomy 8:5 reminds us, “As a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee.” Even in correction, God’s love is clear. His discipline is meant to refine us, to make us better, and to draw us back to Him.

And now, let’s take a stroll through the parable of the Prodigal Son. This story, told by Jesus, is one of the most beautiful illustrations of God's love and forgiveness. Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees, those who thought themselves too righteous to associate with sinners. Yet, in His story, He shows them that God’s love extends to the outcasts, the tax collectors, the sinners—the very ones they deemed unworthy.

In Luke 15:11-32, the younger son demands his inheritance early, which is like saying, “I wish you were dead so I could have my money now!” He leaves home, squanders all he has, and ends up feeding pigs—a humiliating job for a Jewish person. In his desperation, he decides to return home, rehearsing his apology: “I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”

But here’s where the story takes a turn: the father sees him from afar and runs to him, embracing him and calling for a feast. “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found!” (Luke 15:24). The father’s love wasn’t based on the son’s performance or worthiness—it was unconditional.

This is how God treats us. He doesn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up before He welcomes us back. He doesn’t hold our sins against us. He runs to us with open arms, covers our sins, and welcomes us home.

Isaiah 55:6-7 urges us to seek the Lord while He may be found, because He is always ready to forgive. His mercy is unlimited, and He’s eager to take us back in love. When we return to God, He will scoop us up in His arms, cover our iniquities, and throw our sins as far as the East is from the West.

Being saved doesn't give us a free pass to sin, but it does mean we can always return to God. His love doesn’t give up on us, no matter how far we stray. The abundant life Jesus promises isn’t just about physical blessings; it’s about spiritual richness, peace, and restoration in Christ (John 10:10).

So, let’s put our hearts and lives back in God’s hands, confident in His never-ending grace and love.

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Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You are truly our Savior. Please forgive me for falling back into the snares of the world. I need You to restore me—to get my footing right and to keep my heart in rhythm with Your grace. Thank you for welcoming me back with open arms. In Your holy name, I pray. Amen!

Now go—step back into that abundant life and maybe, just maybe, try not to trip over those shoelaces of temptation again!

 

I hope this message blessed you. If so, please leave a comment. I look forward to hearing from you.

Anna M. C. Hazen  2025  (originally written in 2000)

The image is AI generated on chatgpt.