Return to God

Psalm 149:4 (NLT)

4 For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.

The Israelites are defined to God as “his people”. Yet God has called others to join with “His people” to gather close to God and receive the riches of His blessings. Those who humble themselves before God will find victory in this life.

From Romans 15:1-13, the apostle tells us the following: We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote:

“For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing praises to your name.”

And in another place it is written, “Rejoice with his people, you Gentiles.” And yet again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles. Praise him, all you people of the earth.”

And in another place Isaiah said, “The heir to David’s throne will come, and he will rule over the Gentiles. They will place their hope on him.” I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

So there are questions, have we humbled ourselves before God as the Israelites were asked to do? Have we placed our faith in Jesus Christ so that we would receive God’s gift of salvation? Are we helping others and building them up and teaching them what is right? Do we even consider ourselves a Christian nation or are we a nation that has turned their face against God? Do we even pray as we should?

As you read through The Bible you will find God was not always with “His People”. As they turned from God, God left them to their own devices. God waited for their return and then blessed them just as the father who welcomed the prodigal son. Return to God and receive His love, grace and mercy.