Thursday, October 2, 2025

           The Old Testament prophet Zechariah opened his message with a call to return to the Lord. Worthy words!  Specifically, he declared, “’Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty” (Zechariah 1:3b).  There is a command and a promise found in that message.  The command is to return to the Lord. One cannot return to someone or somewhere unless one has been there previously.  So, this command is issued to the Lord’s people—originally to Israel but applicable to us today. If we have departed from the Lord in some way, we are to return to Him.  If we have chosen our ways above His, we are to embrace His ways.  If we have wandered from the Lord, we are called back.  There can be seasons of life where we do stray from the Lord.  You may find yourself in such a season now.  If so, this command is for you.  Return to the Lord. Come back to the One who loves you more than anyone else loves you.  Return to the One who first called you to surrender your life and control to Him.
            The promise found in Zechariah’s message is this: the Lord returns to those who return to Him.  Simply put, the Lord’s favor and presence return to those who return to Him. God refills, refuels and renews hearts that return to Him.  Malachi, at the end of the Old Testament and the prophetic era, issued the same promise.  “Return to me and I will return to you” (Malachi 3:7).  We can rest in knowing that God can restore us when we return to Him.  Where do you need renewal today?  Maybe grief has gripped you like a vise.  Maybe you are confused today about how to approach a problem.  Maybe God seems distant to you this week.  Perhaps the first step to any or all these needs is a return to the Lord—coming back to Him.
            We return to the Lord when we return to His Word.  Reading and reflecting on God’s Word draws us back to the God of the Word.  We return to the Lord when we pray and call upon His name faithfully and consistently.  Indeed, Paul reminded us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  Paul prayed for the Thessalonian Christians to know God’s refreshing and renewing power.  He wrote, “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encourage-ment and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).  Returning to the Lord brings the promise of encouragement and strength to us.  No one regrets coming or returning to the Lord.
            We return to the Lord when we make a commitment to do what is right and good—to embrace His ways above our own.  That can mean something like tithing our income to the Lord, dedicating time to serve Him, sharing our faith with other believers and turning away from bad habits and careless living that have moved us to the margins of faith rather than the mainstream.  There are no limits to where God can work when we return to Him and embrace His Son, His Word and His ways.  Have a great Thursday!