Thoughts From Jeremiah Part One

So, I'm reading through the Book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament right now, and I came across this passage:

"'Return, faithless Israel, declares the LORD.I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the LORD; I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the LORD your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the LORD. Return, O faithless children, declares the LORD; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion." - Jeremiah 3:12-14, ESV

Here, God lays out his plan for the Israelites to return to him. They have been off seeking foreign gods and sacrificing to them and God has had enough and wants to redeem his people to him, but before they can return, God tells them that they must do three things:

1. Acknowledge Your Guilt
2. Acknowledge Your Disobedience
3. Return To Me

In doing this, they can become God's people again because God is merciful to those who are truly repentant.

Do you feel far from God? Ask yourself these three questions:

What guilt do I need to own up to?
How have I been disobedient towards God?
What is keeping me from returning to Him?

God is merciful and he wants you to live a full life with him, but he needs you to take a step towards him because he's waiting on you.