"Return to Me, and I will return to you,'
says the LORD of Hosts."
Malachi 3:7
A man said to a pastor, "I have drifted away from God and I don't know how to get back. Can you help me?" The pastor said, "I sure can. I've drifted away from God in my life, and I found my way back. Let me show you from the Bible." The minister shared a passage of Scripture from 1 John 1:7-9. It speaks of confessing our sins to God. The LORD promises to forgive us. The pastor led the man in a prayer to confess his sins. After the prayer, the man lifted his eyes toward the pastor with a smile. He said, "I'm back." And he was indeed. He had returned to the LORD. He trusted God's word of forgiveness.
Please notice the word LORD in Malachi 3:7. It is printed in capital letters. That indicates the covenant name for God. God's covenant is His word of promise to man recorded in the Bible. In Malachi 3:7, God promises to receive all who return unto Him. It's a promise from God Himself. He is willing to take us back, even after we have drifted away. He receives us back with forgiveness, and He gives us a fresh start.
Have you ever drifted away from God? Do you have a family member or a friend who has wandered away from God? Just remember this, God is always willing to receive us back again. He has promised. If we refuse to return, then we have no one to blame but ourselves. There is no reluctance with the LORD. It's our move. When we return, He will return to us. That's coming back to God.
LORD, we have drifted away from You. We take You at the promise of Your word. We return to Your love and grace, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
