"I Will Restore and Heal"

11 Mar 09
Wednesday of the Second Week in Lent

I Will Restore and Heal
Jeremiah 30: 12-22

It is said that in life only two things are certain: change and death. The human body renews itself through a seven-year change. Change is vital to a person's growing years and changes in later years will also occur when our body wears down.

Through Jeremiah, God was telling His people that He is in control of change. From their captivity under foreign powers, to their release an restoration, God has been the agent of change---- 'I have done these things to you' ----- although 'He changes not'. Nothing happens without His knowledge and approval. In His sovereignty, God determines all things and everything is under His divine control.

Although His people were rejected and wounded, God in His gracious mercy had already planned to restore them (v3). Even their 'incurable wounds' which the Lord has allowed because of their sins (v 12,15).

God will cure them.

Our world has faced unprecedented changes and tragedies. We feel that we are living on the brink of hopelessness and helplessness, having no conrol of our circumstances. But the word of God in Jeremiah's day comes to us today: 'Though you are wounded and in pain, yet I will heal you' says the Lord. This promise is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who was 'wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities...by His stripes we are healed'.

How thanksful we are for the hope we have in Christ: 'Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day' (2 Cor 4:16).

Therefore we do not lose heart. Whilst all that is around us, including our mortal bodies, is "changing down", the Lord is changing our inner man 'from one level of glory to another'. And on that glorious day, He will transform us completely and give us the Resurrection body of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Elder Richard Chia E.L.
Elder at Grace Bethesda Church and
Chairman of Care Channels International Ltd)

Commitment:
All my wounds to the Lord for His healing touch.

Prayer:
I know Lord that You have caused the changes in my life, and I can trust you completely for the good and the perfect plans you have for me. Amen.